The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-01-20
BANK IMP R0VES
QUARTERS
b. RIcHARp HATToN

1y kk1OIAAOD
with the completion Of an exten-
sive addition to its original build
ing and a comprehensive rearrange-
ment OF it's interior offices and de-
partments which has been underway
for some months, the National Saw
ings and Trust Company. at the
convenience OF Pennsylvania and
New York Avenues and Fifteenth
Street, takes it's place as one OF the
most commodiously housed financial
organizations in the United states.
The present banking office is In
fact, the largest room OF ITS cnar-
acater in any bank south OF ne"
York.
Rearing It's massive Kibbe sand
stone facade in dark outline against
the BACKGROUND Of Washington
financial center, the National saw
ings and Trust Company's butld1ng
viewed from any one Of the streets
which angle at its main entrance
gives distinct impression OF en-
Rodvinr the strength of the great
rock fortress Of Gibraltar, which,
through the centuries, has peen
the symbol of stability ana
strength. .,.
now has a frontage OF approx
roateIy 200 feet on New York Ave.
nue. and 125 feet on Fifteenc.-
street. The architecture OF the new
addition carries out the style OF the
original building, which was erected
In 1885. and il italian renaissance
Tha main banking room occupies
the entire first floor OF the puil9-
Inc and is full two stories high with
exceptional lighting facilities by
reason of its shape and the Two
broad thoroughfares that nanK ls
aureading wings. In addition 70 tne
high windows giving on the street
the offices receive hgnt lnrousn
the famous Tiffany dome in the
tns ~ the older section of the
h,,;ldinV and the balancing square
lluht above the newly constructed
II, both of these stained glass mas
4erpieces is again seen the motive
of strength.
Interior Finish
spha interior finish of the bank is
- imported Italian Tayerneue
~arhIe of light, slightly varia.
~atad. tan shade. Massive columns OF
fhe same material support the hish
vault OF the ceiling while the upper
waIIs are of imported Caen stone
finish. The ceiling is OF ornamental
TEe newly installed banking
.craans gates. desks and other IN
1srior fittings are of artistically exc
e1Ited bronze, all carrying OUT the
hasic Renaissance theme OF design.
Tine advancement Of the banking
Aanartmeut along the entire south
riia of the main room allows IOr
apnenfionally commodious quarters
fcr the principal officers OF the IN
atItution along the east and west
tides. The north side OF the ONCE
space Ia occupied by the trust oe.
partment while in the basement OF
the building Is located one OF the
most complete safe deposit depart
nneT1ts IN the country. equipped Win
fhe largest and heaviest vaults
south of Philadelphia. This depart
ment is connected with the main
offices BY private electric elevar
Tor.
The bookkeeping department, To-
Rether with ali other auxiliary Ie'
partments, is located on the second
floor OF the building above the main
banking room, and these are also
connected with the main office by
private elevators. There is a conf
plete system of interior commun1ca
ton embracing all departments. The
entire equipment Of modern nlc
chanical banking appliances also Is
installed on the second floor.
Upon entering the main office,
the first impression is one OF vast
space, yet so well arranged are the
fixtures and divisions that thu
visitor on. customer Is impressed
with the facilities for his con-
Venienee and the ease Of transact
ing business. The atmosphere is
one Of quiet efficiency, OF superla-
tive strength, and pleasing. arts
tically carried out decorative scheme
which lends to the interior the
same massive dignity that Is
typified by the Gibraltar-like e1te
rior walls.
The completion of the National
Savings and Trust Company's addi-
ton is a distinct achievement in
banking architecture as we'll as a
monument to the progressive and
constructive policies of the present
officers and directors of the COM