The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-12-18
AMERICAN BANK
. IN new QUAR- TIERS
.--.----------------
Occupies Magnificent Offices at
Opening Of Business
TO Morrow.
---
MANY UNIQUE FEATURES
Every Modern Convenience Has
Been Installed for
Service.
MANY UNIQUE FEATURES

AT the beginning of banking hours
tomorrow morning the American Ma
tional Bank will occupy it's now quar-
ters In its recently enlarged and i'm
proved office building at Tenth and
Main Streets The banking offices con-
officers and directors believe will com
mend themselves to the public.
The American National Bank was
organized in 1897 with Il capital OF
100000, having its banking home at
1909 East Main Street, with Oliver J.
Sands as its president. 1t now ranks
among the largest banks Of the South
with assets exceeding $4,000 900.
IN 1902 the American National Bank
acquired the business of the Security
Bank of Richmond. which made 1t nee
cssary to increase its capital to $780,
GOO. In 1904 the capital was increased
10 100000. And since has been in.
creased to 100000.
To illustrate the wonderful growth
of Richmond, the assets of this. the
youngest of its national banks. are
larger to-day than were those of any
bank in Richmond when this bank was
organized It's large increase of bus
mess forced 1t TO seek moro spacious
quarters. aud the directors purchas ed
the lot at Tenth and Main Streets, upon
which in 1898 they erected a modern
bank and Office building. an eiEht-s story
structure, equipped with all up-t date
facilities. This was the first steel
office structure erected in the city and
was the beginning OF new era In
building construction In Richmond.
Many were doubtful of the success
of al Office building which would have
to rent at one dollar or more per square
foot This building has been fully oc-
cupied almost since Its opening, and
there are now several other such
buildings in Richmond and in course OF
erection.
Doubled Capacity.
The business later became sd large
that it was found necessary to double
the capacity of the building, and the
officers purchased the lot adjoining
and in October: 1909, began the cree.
ton of the new addition, which is now
completed, and which, together with
the original building. forms the splen-
did structure at the corner of Tenth
and Main Streets. Its height Is ten
stories above Main Street, and thirteen
stories above the alley In the rear.
This building represents a type OF
Office building which has developed in
the last few years, and in which enort
is made to give TO the exterior a
straightforward, simple expression OF
the materials used, emitting to great
extent projections OF all kinds, and
without any attempt to carry aren't.
tectural ornamentation or embellish.
ment throughout its entire height ex-
cept the cove and cornice, whicr
scneme gives the impression OF several
buildings being superimposed one or
the other, and suggests that the de.
sign could have been stopped at any
Intermediate story of its height, an
be in no way less complete whole
The use of color in the tile OF cove is
most pleasing and unusual in this
country, although much coiored tile
was used in some OF the most ancient
and grandest OF architectural struc.
lures.
Has Two Entrances.
To OFFSET what would perhaps b,
considered excessive plalnness tho
main entrance TO the building. twc
| arched openings eight feet wide BY
twenty and a half feet high hav,
! been surrounded by rich renais
! since door finish of Indiana limestone
making feature fifty feet wide by
! twenty and half feet high. richl,
! ornamented with columns, cornices
J lHSuhiiipilS anu carving. . maxi
| these entrances more attractive thi
| stonework has been carried into thu
vestibule. and an elaborate iron grill,
! has been placed in the openings, givin.
| an opportunity for utilizing the nam,
of the building, and the American
| eagle indicative of the name of tn
! bank) as ornamental features.
The brick and limestone of tn
/, building are of the same color light
warm buff, and the effect of the build
| ing, with its rich dooaways, is yer.
attractive and suggestive of the of
| flee building, as distinct from tn
store or apartment house.
The interior of the bank is arranged
on simple but rather unique lines
| the offices for the president. cashier
bureau of information, savings de
partment, tellers, lady customers
room and private room for lade
being grouped around a central lobby
The nine upper floors are devoted
to office purposes, and are reached no
! only by the elevators and staircase |,
] the front part of the building, blu
| also by side entrance on Tcntf
| Street, leading to the fourth elevator
and to staircase running from tn
| subbasement to the top story.
Unique Equipment.
There are many ideas In the equip
ment never before seen In this section
such as a public drinking fountain
combined with a telephone eschang
connecting all the departments Of tn
| bank and a bureau of information
! with large marble scttees on eithe
side from which a modern yentilatint
/ system has been installed,
i Ample provision has been made 70