First National Bank Building, Ann Arbor
The First National Bank Building is a ten鈥憇tory limestone- and terra-cotta鈥慶lad structure that first crowned the city skyline upon its completion in 1930. Designed by local architects Fry and Kasurin between 1927 and 1930, it rose as Ann聽Arbor鈥檚 tallest building and was celebrated for its refined blend of Art Deco, Streamline Moderne, and subdued Romanesque revival detailing鈥攊ncluding broad terra-cotta verticals, decorative gargoyles, and a dignified cornice that crowns the tower.
Commissioned by Michigan鈥檚 first nationally chartered bank鈥攅stablished in 1863鈥攖he building was more than a financial landmark: it hosted the bank鈥檚 main offices and eight floors of professional suites. Nearly 5,000 people attended the grand opening in February 1929, marking the end of a roaring era before the onset of the Great Depression. By 1936, following a merger, the bank departed, and the elegant banking hall was adapted into ground鈥慺loor retail, with offices above鈥攁 change that preserved the building鈥檚 civic role while reimagining its interior life.
Despite the economic upheavals, the building endured as Ann聽Arbor鈥檚 visual beacon. Floodlit at night in its early years, it remained the city鈥檚 tallest structure until the 1980s. Its architectural finesse earned a place on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982, following purchase and renovation by First Martin Corporation in 1981鈥�82.
Today, the First National Bank Building continues to anchor downtown. Visitors admire its ornamental fa莽ade, towering presence on the corner of Main and Liberty, and ornate detailing鈥攅specially the restored banking lobby, gargoyles, and terra-cotta craft.
Commissioned by Michigan鈥檚 first nationally chartered bank鈥攅stablished in 1863鈥攖he building was more than a financial landmark: it hosted the bank鈥檚 main offices and eight floors of professional suites. Nearly 5,000 people attended the grand opening in February 1929, marking the end of a roaring era before the onset of the Great Depression. By 1936, following a merger, the bank departed, and the elegant banking hall was adapted into ground鈥慺loor retail, with offices above鈥攁 change that preserved the building鈥檚 civic role while reimagining its interior life.
Despite the economic upheavals, the building endured as Ann聽Arbor鈥檚 visual beacon. Floodlit at night in its early years, it remained the city鈥檚 tallest structure until the 1980s. Its architectural finesse earned a place on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982, following purchase and renovation by First Martin Corporation in 1981鈥�82.
Today, the First National Bank Building continues to anchor downtown. Visitors admire its ornamental fa莽ade, towering presence on the corner of Main and Liberty, and ornate detailing鈥攅specially the restored banking lobby, gargoyles, and terra-cotta craft.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Ann Arbor. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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First National Bank Building on Map
Sight Name: First National Bank Building
Sight Location: Ann Arbor, USA (See walking tours in Ann Arbor)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Ann Arbor, USA (See walking tours in Ann Arbor)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Ann Arbor, Michigan
Create Your Own Walk in Ann Arbor
Creating your own self-guided walk in Ann Arbor is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Ann Arbor Introduction Walking Tour
A western exurb of Detroit, the charming green college town of Ann Arbor possesses a unique charm and down-home atmosphere 鈥� a combination of big-city amenities and a small-town vibe.
It started off as a small strip of land registered in 1825 as "Annarbour", named after the wives of its co-founders, both called Ann, and the stands of bur oak trees. Following the move of the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
It started off as a small strip of land registered in 1825 as "Annarbour", named after the wives of its co-founders, both called Ann, and the stands of bur oak trees. Following the move of the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Ann Arbor's Historical Buildings
Founded in the 1820s and centered on the University of Michigan, the city of Ann Arbor boasts hundreds of splendid buildings, many of which are included in the National Register. The U-M campus itself was registered as Historic District in 1978.
The abundance of down-home charm, especially in the historic district, is richly complemented by plethora of time-tested architectural landmarks in... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
The abundance of down-home charm, especially in the historic district, is richly complemented by plethora of time-tested architectural landmarks in... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
University of Michigan Walking Tour
Ann Arbor is a home to the sprawling University of Michigan 鈥� one of America鈥檚 best public educational institutions, attracting top students and faculty from all over the world.
Founded in 1817 in Detroit as the University of Michigania, 20 years before the territory became a state, this university is Michigan's oldest. The school was moved to Ann Arbor in 1837. Among its alumni there... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
Founded in 1817 in Detroit as the University of Michigania, 20 years before the territory became a state, this university is Michigan's oldest. The school was moved to Ann Arbor in 1837. Among its alumni there... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles