Gallatin Bank Building
The Gallatin Bank Building was constructed in 1887 on a plot at 34 Wall Street in the Financial District of Manhattan, New York City for the Gallatin National Bank. It was enlarged from an original plot bought at 36 Wall Street when the bank was organized in 1829. The purchase price was $12,000. Originally called National Bank, the name was later changed to Gallatin because of its association with the family of Albert Gallatin. The architects were Cady, Berg & See. John Jacob Astor was one of the bank's organizers and he was instrumental in persuading  financier, Albert Gallatin, to become its first president. History. The Gallatin Bank structure, which opened in 1887, was built for the Gallatin National Bank on land purchased after the resignation of bank president James Gallatin, in 1868, and the beginning of the term of his successor, Frederick D. Tappen. The edifice endured for forty-two years and was the home of important financial firms. The Gallatin Bank Building was one of the most distinguished establishments on Wall Street from the late 19th century through the second decade of the 20th century. Destruction. It was destroyed to make room for 40  Wall Street, a new structure completed by the Bank of Manhattan Company in late 1929, the tallest office building in the world when finished.