New Mexico Bank & Trust Building facts for kids

New Mexico Bank & Trust Building
Alternative names	Bank of New Mexico Building First Interstate Bank Building Gold Building
Record height
Preceded by	Simms Building
Surpassed by	Bank of the West Tower
General information
Status	Complete
Type	Commercial offices
Architectural style	Modernism
Location	320 Gold Avenue SW Albuquerque, New Mexico
Coordinates	35°04′59″N 106°39′05″W / 35.083182°N 106.651452°W / 35.083182; -106.651452
Construction started	1959
Completed	1961
Cost	$4 million
Height
Roof	62 m (203 ft)
Technical details
Floor count	14
Floor area	108,000 sq ft (10,000 m2)
Design and construction
Architect	W.C. Kruger & Associates

The New Mexico Bank & Trust Building is a tall office building in downtown Albuquerque, New Mexico. It has 14 floors and stands about 62 meters (203 feet) high. This makes it the sixth-tallest building in the city.

When it was finished in 1961, it became the tallest building in New Mexico. It took this title from the Simms Building. However, just two years later, the Bank of the West Tower became even taller.

The building was first called the Bank of New Mexico Building. It was built between 1959 and 1961. The spot where it stands used to be an old trading post.

History of the New Mexico Bank & Trust Building

The New Mexico Bank & Trust Building has an interesting past. It was built from 1959 to 1961. A company called Bank Realty Company built it. One of the main people involved was Winthrop Rockefeller. He was a businessman who later became the governor of Arkansas.

The building was put up on a piece of land at 4th Street and Gold Avenue. It replaced several older buildings, including Wright's Trading Post. The building was officially opened on January 16, 1961. There was a special ceremony with Native American dancers. Winthrop Rockefeller gave a speech, and he even wore a sombrero! The total cost to build it was about $4 million.

Design and Early Years

The building was designed by a local architect named Willard C. Kruger. With its 14 floors, it became the tallest building in New Mexico. It was taller than the Simms Building across the street. The 14th floor had a private club called the Petroleum Club. The Bank of New Mexico, which the building was named after, had its main offices on the ground floor.

In 1981, the bank's owners changed the name of their banks to First Interstate Bank. So, the building's name also changed. In 1986, the building got a big update that cost $5 million. This included important work on its systems and changing the outside walls. The original clear glass walls were replaced with the black tinted glass you see today. Willard C. Kruger's company also worked on this update, even though he had passed away in 1984.

Later Owners and Name Changes

Over the years, the bank headquarters inside the building changed hands. It ended up with Norwest Bank, but they moved out in 1994. They already had another main office nearby.

In 1996, a different bank, also called The Bank of New Mexico (but not the original one), moved in. They put their name on the building. However, this bank was also bought by Norwest two years later. Since the early 2000s, the building has been the main office for New Mexico Bank & Trust.

Architecture and Design

The New Mexico Bank & Trust Building is 62 meters (203 feet) tall. It has 14 floors above the ground, plus a small top section for machines. The building was designed by Willard C. Kruger. He also designed the New Mexico State Capitol building.

Building Style

The building's style is called International Style. It looks quite similar to the older Simms Building across the street. Both buildings have special outer walls called "curtain walls" on their north and south sides. These walls are made mostly of glass. The east and west sides of the building have no windows and are covered in brick.

The building also has a base that is one story tall. Above that, the second story is set back a bit, showing the building's support columns.

Changes to the Exterior

When the building was first built, its curtain walls had clear glass and turquoise-colored panels. But during the 1986 update, these were changed. They were replaced with black tinted glass set in a coral-colored frame. On the south side of the building, there is a part that sticks out. This part is covered in brick and holds the elevators.

See also

In Spanish: New Mexico Bank & Trust Building para niños