Bank of the West Tower (Albuquerque)
| Company type | Office building |
|---|---|
| Industry | Banking (historically) |
| Founded | 1963 |
| Founder | Del Webb Corporation (developer) |
| Headquarters | Albuquerque , United States |
| Products | Office space, bank branches (historically) |
Bank of the West Tower is a 17-story office high-rise standing 64.9 meters tall in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Positioned on Central Avenue, approximately east of the city's Downtown district, it was completed in 1963. At that time, it held the distinction of being New Mexico's tallest building and remains the tallest structure outside Albuquerque's downtown area. Developed by the Del Webb Corporation and designed by the architectural firm Flatow, Moore, Bryan, and Fairburn, the tower has predominantly served as a location for bank branches throughout its existence.
History
Constructed by the Del Webb Corporation, this tower initially operated as the East Central branch of First National Bank of New Mexico and was known as the First National Bank Building East to differentiate it from the bank’s main offices downtown. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on July 12, 1961, with the bank officially opening its doors on February 16, 1963. Upon completion, it overtook the New Mexico Bank & Trust Building as the state's tallest building, symbolizing a shift in commercial focus and investment toward Albuquerque’s suburban Northeast Heights. Intended to be the focal point of a new urban complex named First National Bank Center, only one additional office building was eventually developed nearby; this neighboring structure once served as Microsoft’s regional headquarters. Although it lost its title as tallest building to the National Building three years later, it remains a significant landmark outside the downtown core.
The first and second floors were dedicated to banking operations, while basement levels included vaults, safe deposit boxes, an event space, and a café. The top two floors were occupied by the exclusive Albuquerque City Club, which featured amenities such as a bar, dining room, beauty salon, saunas located on floor 16, and a gymnasium with rooftop deck on floor 17. After just two years, the club ceased operations; by 2015, its former space had been transformed into two residential penthouses along with a rooftop racquetball court.
Following First National Bank’s acquisition by First Security Bank in 1993, the building adopted its new namesake. In 2001, after being purchased by Bank of the West, it assumed its current name. Bank of the West vacated the premises in 2012. By February 2021, only about 30% of this tower and an adjacent smaller building were leased. As of September 2023, the empty property is listed for auction.
Architecture
Designed by Albuquerque-based firm Flatow, Moore, Bryan, and Fairburn, who also created the comparable Del Webb Building in Phoenix, this 17-story structure plus basement offers approximately of leasable space. The building’s poured-in-place reinforced concrete framework incorporates post-tensioned girders that transfer loads to exterior columns and a central core. This engineering approach allows for column-free interiors and enabled an additional floor without increasing overall height.
On street level, gray Italian marble columns frame twenty-eight expansive plate glass windows. The lobby and banking hall feature finishes of gray and cream marble accented with walnut and aluminum trim; upper floors are covered with dark green Grecian marbleized vinyl. Elevator lobbies once displayed fifteen murals by Alice Garver depicting New Mexico’s history; unfortunately, these delicate artworks have not survived.
The exterior combines white paint with tinted glass to reduce cooling demands. Each spandrel is adorned with gold ceramic tiles embedded with genuine 23-karat gold—totaling roughly 2.5 million one-inch square tiles. Gold-hued aluminum screens embellish the eleventh floor façade. Architect Max Flatow remarked that incorporating such valuable materials was intended as a cultural enhancement.
Originally, illuminated signage reading "FIRST NATIONAL BANK" appeared atop all sides of the tower; this was replaced by "FIRST SECURITY BANK" in 1993 and later by Bank of the West’s logo in 2001. Since 2012, no exterior signage remains on the building.
See also
External links
- Bank of the West Tower featured on Albuquerque Daily Photo