The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-10-13
METROPOLITAN BANK
IN ITS NEW HOME
Handsome White Marble
Structure Occupied
Yesterday.
Design of Interior Is Both
Beautiful and Con-
Venient.

Tomorrow the National Metropolitan
Bank will begin business in it's new
come, the handsome white marble sfruc-
ture on Fifteenth street, opposite the
Treasury building.
Up 10 the closing hour yesterday, the
bank did business in it's quarters next
door 10 the new nome. But IN the after
noon the officials and employees Of the
bank, with a band OF helpers, got busy
and moved into the new structure At
dark last night the moving was prac-
ticsDy finished
Although the exterior Of the building
has been admired for some weeks past,
the feature of interest is the banking
room. This room is the result Of much
careful study. and It now presents a
beautiful and imposing sight
Interior Design Rich.
The object Of the architects and Off
GERS Of the bank was to secure a bank
ing room arranged with the maximum
efficiency, both in regard to the in
ternal work of the bank and the con-
venience Of its customers. The main
idea, which has been notably conceived
and carried out in this room, was to
have in this bank an interior worthy Of
Tie AlbA position WHICH LllS institution
holds. Therefore the design is rich, yet
simple and dignifed. The materials
chosen are enduring marble and bronze;
there IS no sham work here.
II was necessary TO so design the
building that, although on the ground
floor Of high building, shut in on both
sides by adjoining structures. IL should
have good natural light and ventilation
ana should not present gloomy in
terror
This has been attained by large win
dows st the front and rear and by a
large central court giving a food OF
light through the vaulted skylight.
The entrance TO the bank through the
broad vestibule leads into a large public
space 19X53 feet, around which on all
SIDES are arranged the offices OF the
bank officials. tellers, and other depart
ments OF the bank.
The floor is paved with white Ala
hama marble, with inlaid discs and pat
terms Of Skyros marble from Greece.
Pilasters Grecian Marble.
The large pilasters supporting the
structure above are of Tinos marble
from Greece. while the counter screen
separating the public from the banking
space is formed by a coIonnade of en-
gagged columns and cornice Of Skyros
and Alabama marble, with grilles Of
antique bronze.
The vaulted skylight and large window
glass of Roman design, whose colors
harmonize with the colored marbles and
the decorations Of the richly modelled
ceiling. The court window Is balanced
on the opposite side of the room BY
mirrors with Cleverly designed borders
OF colored glass so that one standing
IN the public space seems 20 see win
dcws at either side Of the building.
a feature Of the room is the stone
encased vault with it's huge circular
door. which. being directly opposite the
"a
ones eye.
Convenient for Ladies.
Special arrangements have been made
for ladies, for whose convenience q
large room has been set aside at the
right Of the entrance
The directors room is iE a mezza-
nine story at the front of the build
irg, while locker rooms for all the
employees Of the bank are provided in
the basement. Every convenience for
the comfort of the customers. Officers,
and employees Of the bank has been pro-
Vided for.
The interior OF the bank has been de-
signed in the spirit of the best period
Of Roman architecture, and every detail
has been carefully and thoroughly car
ried out In this style, so that as a whole
;he National Metropolitan Bank has
quarters second - none in the United
States.
Inc architects OF the building were
Gordon, Tracy & Swartwout, Of pa
Fifth avenue, New York, and 3. Stanley
Simmons. associated 1.-THE designs for the
building being prepared by Gordon,
Tracy & SwartwOut, while Mr.. Simmons
offended to the actual construction OF
the work.
On Old Site.
An interesting feature Of the opening
Of this new building is that the struct-
ure is on the site occupied by the bank
when it began business here nearly 100
years ago. In its long life. il has made
n reputation for progress and conserva-
i've business tactics.
l. Southland Parker is president Of
the bank. and the other officers and the
directors are S W Woodward vice
president; j. Gates Moore, cashier: w
W w. Parker, assistant cashier Di-
reCtOrS-WOOdbury Blair George II
Harries, Charles Jacobsen, o. II. Perry
Johnson, Thomas r. Jones, William S.
Knox, JohnS p. Larner, David Moore
John H Moore. w II. Moses, Allison
Major. jr.. MyTon NJ. Parker. Jackson
III. RalstOn, Hugh Reilly. h. Francis
Riggs. CIino II. Rudolph. George Trues-
dell, john I. wilkins. James r. Winner
w. A.. Wimsatt. S. W. Woodward, z.
:. Parker.