Yorkville Bank Building facts for kids
The Yorkville Bank Building is a cool old building in Manhattan, New York City. You can find it on East 85th Street and Third Avenue. It was designed by an architect named Robert Maynicke and was built way back in 1905. This building is special because it shows off a style called Renaissance Revival architecture, which means it looks a bit like buildings from a long time ago in Italy. Because it's so important and beautiful, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission decided it should be a landmark in 2012.
The Story of the Yorkville Bank Building
This building was first made for the Yorkville Bank. It was a bank for many years, helping people with their money. It stayed a bank until 1991. After that, it changed! The ground floor became shops, and the floors above turned into a fitness center where people could exercise.
What Does "Renaissance Revival" Mean?
The Yorkville Bank Building is a great example of Renaissance Revival architecture. This style became popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Architects who used this style wanted to bring back the look of buildings from the Renaissance period in Europe, especially Italy.
They often used:
- Big, strong shapes
- Arches over windows and doors
- Detailed decorations that looked like carvings
- Symmetry, meaning both sides of the building look the same
So, when you look at the Yorkville Bank Building, you might notice these classic features that make it look grand and important, just like buildings from hundreds of years ago.
Why Is It a Landmark?
Being a "landmark" means a building is very important because of its history, its design, or what it means to the city. The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission is a group that decides which buildings are special enough to be protected. When a building becomes a landmark, it means people want to make sure it stays safe and doesn't get torn down or changed too much. The Yorkville Bank Building was made a landmark in 2012 because it's a great example of its architectural style and has been an important part of the Yorkville neighborhood for over a hundred years.
