Central National Bank (Richmond, Virginia)
| Industry | Banking |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1911 |
| Fate | Renamed Central Fidelity Bank; later branch of Wachovia Corp. until 2000 |
| Headquarters | Richmond, Virginia , United States |
The Central National Bank edifice is a 23-story skyscraper standing 282 feet tall, exemplifying Art Deco design in Richmond, Virginia. Finished in 1929, it ranked among the earliest high-rise buildings constructed beyond Richmond’s core financial district. According to architectural historian Richard Guy Wilson, this structure and the West Hospital uniquely display the Art Deco ziggurat-inspired setback style, a distinctive architectural feature uncommon within Virginia.
Initially established as Central National Bank, the building was later renamed Central Fidelity Bank and functioned as a Wachovia Corp. branch until the year 2000. Following nearly a decade and a half of vacancy, it underwent redevelopment by Douglas Development Corp into "Deco at CNB," a residential complex comprising 200 apartments, welcoming its first occupants by mid-2016.
This landmark was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 and is included within the boundaries of the Grace Street Commercial Historic District.
History
At the dawn of the 20th century, Richmond, Virginia experienced significant expansion. Broad Street, notably broader than typical streets at approximately , served as a dividing line between the upscale southern neighborhoods near Grace and Franklin Streets and Jackson Ward, which evolved from predominantly German and Jewish populations to an African American community. This separation was reinforced by transportation routes and traffic flows, resulting in divergent developmental trends: the southern side attracted more substantial commercial and retail ventures.
Established in 1911 by entrepreneurs from Broad and Grace Streets desiring accessible banking services, Central National Bank rapidly accumulated deposits surpassing US$500,000 within six months of opening. By the 1920s, it had become Richmond’s sixth largest banking institution. In 1928, the board authorized construction of a new headquarters on Broad Street to accommodate ongoing expansion.
See also
External links
- National Register of Historic Places in Richmond, Virginia
- Art Deco architecture in Virginia
- Commercial buildings completed in 1929
- Bank buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Virginia
- Individually listed contributing properties to historic districts on the National Register in Virginia
- Residential skyscrapers in Virginia
- Skyscrapers in Richmond, Virginia
- 1929 establishments in Virginia