Grand Rapids Savings Bank Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Grand Rapids Savings Bank Building
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| Location | 60 Monroe Center, NW, Grand Rapids, Michigan |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Architect | Osgood & Osgood; Owen-Ames-Kimball |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival, Beaux Arts |
| NRHP reference No. | 90001956 |
| Added to NRHP | December 28, 1990 |
The Grand Rapids Savings Bank Building is a tall office building in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It stands at 60 Monroe Center, NW. This important building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. This means it is a special place recognized for its history and architecture.
Contents
History of the Building
When Was the Building Constructed?
Just before World War I, many financial companies were growing in downtown Grand Rapids. In 1916, the Grand Rapids Savings Bank decided to build its main office here. Local architects named Osgood & Osgood designed the building.
Who Used the Building?
The building served as the main office for the Grand Rapids Savings Bank. It also had extra office spaces that other businesses and people could rent. Over the years, many interesting people had offices there.
- John W. Blodgett: He was a well-known lumberman. A lumberman is someone who works in the timber industry, cutting down trees and selling wood.
- Arthur Vandenberg: He was a very important person in politics. He served as a Senator for Michigan. A senator is a lawmaker who helps create rules for the country.
- Alfred D. Rathbone IV: He was a World War II correspondent. A correspondent is a journalist who reports news from a faraway place, like a war zone.
What Does the Building Look Like?
Architectural Style and Materials
The Grand Rapids Savings Bank Building is a 13-story building. It has a strong steel frame, which is like its skeleton. The building mixes two old and fancy styles of architecture: Classical Revival and Beaux Arts.
The outside of the building uses different materials. The first floor and the floor just above it (called the mezzanine) are covered with light grey granite. Granite is a very hard and strong type of stone. Above this, there is a decorative ledge called a cornice. The upper floors are made of light brown bricks.
Key Features of the Exterior
The very top of the building has a large, fancy cornice made of terra cotta. Terra cotta is a type of baked clay used for decoration.
The main front of the building is divided into five sections, called bays. The three middle sections have a special entrance that goes back into the building. This entrance is two stories tall. It is framed by four tall, round granite columns. These columns are in the Doric style, which is a classic Greek design.
On the upper floors, the three middle sections have windows that are grouped in pairs. The sections on the far left and right have single windows.
See also
In Spanish: Grand Rapids Savings Bank Building para niños
