Germania Bank Building (New York City)
| Industry | Banking |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1869 in New York City, United States |
| Founder | Christian Schwarzwaelder, Joseph Kuntz |
| Fate | Renamed Commonwealth Bank in 1918; acquired by Manufacturers Trust Company in 1927 |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
The Germania Bank Building, located at 190 Bowery in Manhattan, represents the third establishment of Germania Bank, which was founded in New York City in 1869. Conceived by architect Robert Maynicke in a style blending Renaissance Revival and Beaux Arts elements, the structure was erected between 1898 and 1899. It was officially designated a New York City designated landmark on March 29, 2005. As of , the building serves as the headquarters for EmpireDAO, a coworking space specializing in cryptocurrency and blockchain enterprises.
Description
This six-floor edifice is constructed with brick supported by steel girders resting on a concrete basement. The facades facing Bowery and Spring Street are sheathed in Maine granite, featuring a rusticated base with large, deeply recessed windows topped by rounded arches. Above this base, banded stonework frames three bays along Bowery and six bays along Spring Street. Floors three through five display projecting piers and paneled spandrels, while the sixth floor is distinguished by arched windows. A modillioned cornice crowns the first story, complemented by a more substantial ornamental cornice above the fifth floor. The roofline is adorned with a copper parapet incorporating classical motifs, which are visible from nearby elevated train lines.
The primary entrance is situated at an angled corner bay and includes a projecting portico accessed via bluestone steps; an additional portico at street level faces Bowery. Both entrances are supported by free-standing Tuscan columns and embellished with intricate wrought-iron gates. The main doorway further features paneled pilasters and an arched transom.
Other facades consist mainly of brick with parapet roofs; the north elevation contains steel-shuttered windows. Original sash windows remained intact as of 2005, although some transoms had been obscured by acrylic panels. Interior modifications over time include a banking hall renovation in 1922, installation of additional staircases in 1924, fireproofing enhancements during the 1960s to accommodate record storage, and later adaptations for residential use—among them a basketball court created within the former banking hall.
History
During the mid-1800s, New York saw an influx of German immigrants who established Kleindeutschland (Little Germany), becoming a vibrant center for German-American commerce. The Germania Bank of the City of New York was established in 1869 by local entrepreneurs, with Christian Schwarzwaelder serving as president and Joseph Kuntz as vice-president.
By 1878, the bank had moved to a purchased loft at 215 Bowery and expanded into adjacent space at 217 Bowery during the early 1890s. To accommodate further growth, it acquired three lots at the intersection of Bowery and Spring Street in 1896. Architect Robert Maynicke designed a new standalone, fire-resistant building constructed by Marc Eidlitz's company at a cost near $200,000. Construction commenced in February 1898 and was completed by January 1899; banking operations began on January 3, 1899.
Edward C. Schaefer held the presidency at this time. The building included a public banking hall, secure vaults for deposits, and executive offices. In 1900, promotional materials emphasized the security features of its vaults.
In response to anti-German sentiment during World War I, the bank rebranded as Commonwealth Bank in early 1918. By the mid-1920s, Commonwealth was among five banks located on Bowery between Division and Houston Streets. Beginning with a branch on Lexington Avenue in 1923, Commonwealth expanded throughout Manhattan, the Bronx, and Brooklyn before being acquired by Manufacturers Trust Company in 1927—a firm that later evolved into Manufacturers Hanover Trust following a merger in 1961.
Manufacturers Hanover maintained operations at the Bowery site until the mid-1960s, selling it in 1966 to commercial photographer Jay Maisel through Archival, Inc. Maisel utilized the property as his home, studio, and gallery space; between 1966 and 1968 he leased portions to artists Adolph Gottlieb and Roy Lichtenstein. Commonly referred to locally as "The Bank," the building was often mistaken for abandonment despite incurring annual maintenance costs around $300,000.
In August 2014, the building was discreetly put up for sale and subsequently acquired by Aby Rosen in February 2015. A documentary released in 2019 by Stephen Wilkes titled Jay Myself captures Maisel’s departure after nearly five decades of occupancy. That same year saw streetwear brand Supreme open a retail location within the premises. By 2022, EmpireDAO operated from this site as a co-working facility dedicated to cryptocurrency and blockchain startups.
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Manhattan below 14th Street
- List of New York City Designated Landmarks in Manhattan below 14th Street