Union Savings Bank and Trust
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Banking (historically), Real estate (currently) |
| Founded | 1891 |
| Headquarters | Davenport, Iowa , United States |
| Products | Banking services (historically), Residential apartments (currently) |
The Union Arcade is a residential building situated in downtown Davenport, Iowa, initially entered into the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 under the name Union Savings Bank and Trust. Originally constructed to accommodate a banking institution and professional offices, it symbolizes Davenport's economic development between 1900 and 1930. Following a conversion to apartments during 2014–2015, it now operates as Union Arcade Apartments. In 2020, it was designated as a contributing property within the Davenport Downtown Commercial Historic District.
History
Founded in 1891, Union Savings Bank relocated to its Brady Street premises around 1900, taking over the former site of Davenport National Bank. The building’s initial lower level was completed circa 1915, with upper stories added in 1924 at an expenditure of $820,000. This expansion was designed by the local architectural firm Temple & Burrows and constructed by Hoggson Brothers from New York.
During the 1920s, Union Savings Bank grew through mergers with Davenport Savings Bank and Scott County Savings Bank, evolving into Union Savings Bank and Trust Company. Prior to the 1933 Bank Holiday, it acquired First National Bank amid the Great Depression. Other banks in the area that persisted included American Commercial and Savings Bank, Bechtel Trust Company, Northwest Davenport Savings Bank, and Home Savings Bank. Nonetheless, Union Savings Bank and Trust ceased operations following the Bank Holiday.
In 1946, a $75,000 remodeling repurposed the former banking hall into retail space spanning two floors, at which time the building was renamed Union Arcade. This renovation was designed by Kruse & Parish with Tunnicliff Construction Company serving as the contractor. The upper levels continued to house professional office spaces.
Rodney Blackwell of Financial District Properties acquired Union Arcade in late 2013 for $1.65 million. Beginning in March 2014, a $16.65 million redevelopment transformed the structure into 68 market-rate apartments while retaining commercial space on the ground floor. Completed by May 2015, the project features three loft units alongside studios as well as one- and two-bedroom apartments. The mezzanine level was adapted into a resident lounge and laundry area. Historic elements such as original marble flooring in common areas, along with features like the mail chute and doors, were preserved for their aesthetic significance.
Architecture
This seven-story, L-shaped edifice merges Neoclassical design with characteristics of the emerging Chicago Commercial Style. Rising to a notable height, its principal façade faces Brady Street with a secondary frontage on East Third Street. Constructed using limestone atop a limestone foundation, Neoclassical elements are especially evident on the street-level façade built circa 1915, which originally included Ionic columns along Brady Street and Corinthian pilasters on the northern elevation.
The upper floors added nine years later exhibit Chicago Commercial Style traits, featuring paired windows situated between vertical piers separated by ornamental metal spandrel panels. The structure is crowned by a substantial cornice.
The architectural firm Kruse & Parish carried out storefront renovations for Union Arcade, likely removing the original Ionic columns and introducing a mezzanine level to facilitate access to upper floors.