Farmers and Mechanics Savings Bank (1942) facts for kids
The 1942 Farmers and Mechanics Savings Bank building in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a really cool old building. It used to be a bank, but now it's a fancy Westin Hotel! This building is a great example of a design style called Streamline Moderne. It's famous for the awesome sculptures of a farmer and a mechanic. These sculptures are right next to the main entrance. A talented artist named Warren T. Mosman designed them. The building became a special historic place in 2006. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Quick facts for kids |
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Farmers and Mechanics Savings Bank
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The main entrance of the Farmers and Mechanics Savings Bank in Minneapolis, complete with sculptures of a farmer and a mechanic on either side of the door.
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| Location | Minneapolis, MN |
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| Built | 1942 |
| Architect | McEnary, Dale; Krafft, Edwin |
| Architectural style | Moderne, International Style |
| NRHP reference No. | 06000094 |
| Added to NRHP | March 2, 2006 |
Contents
From Bank to Hotel: A Cool Transformation
The inside of the building used to be a grand banking hall. Now, it's the beautiful lobby of the hotel. This main hall has a super high ceiling, about 34 feet (10 meters) tall! It also has a fancy marble staircase. The designers kept many original details. These include carved wood emblems and other special features.
What Used to Be Where?
The taller parts of the building once held offices for the bank. Today, these areas have been turned into 214 comfy hotel rooms. The hotel kept the building's history alive.
Reusing Old Bank Spaces
The bank's old boardroom was on the 10th floor. It had big windows that went from the floor to the ceiling. Now, it's a modern conference room. Even the original bank vault on the lower level has a new purpose. It's also a conference room! The smaller safety deposit vault is now a special wine vault.
Dining in a Former Bank
The entire bank building has been made into a restaurant called B.A.N.K. The restaurant tried to keep as much of the original wood as possible. This helps it feel like the old bank. Former offices are now private dining rooms. The old teller counter, where people used to do their banking, is now a cool bar!
