Farmers and Mechanics Savings Bank (1942)

Farmers and Mechanics Savings Bank

Industry	Banking (historical)
Founded	1891
Fate	Converted to hotel and restaurant
Headquarters	Minneapolis , United States

The 1942 Farmers and Mechanics Savings Bank structure, located in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, originally served as a banking institution and now functions as a Westin Hotel. This building exemplifies the Streamline Moderne style within the broader Art Deco movement and is distinguished by notable relief sculptures depicting a farmer and a mechanic, created by Warren T. Mosman, who was the sculpture department head at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. In 2006, the building earned a place on the National Register of Historic Places.

Before this, the Farmers and Mechanics Savings Bank operated from its 1891 headquarters at 115 S. 4th St., which today houses The Downtown Cabaret.

The hotel lobby occupies the main banking hall, adorned with walnut paneling, while the taller adjoining wings—formerly office spaces—now contain 214 guest rooms. Throughout the hotel’s transformation, significant historic features were preserved: the grand lobby retains its lofty ceiling, marble staircase, and intricately carved wooden insignias. The bank’s boardroom on the 10th floor, featuring expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, is now utilized as a conference facility. Additionally, the original bank vault has been repurposed into a meeting room, and the former safety deposit vault serves as a wine cellar. The entire bank building has been converted into B.A.N.K., a restaurant that maintains much of the original woodwork. Private dining rooms occupy former office areas, while the old teller counter has been adapted into a bar.