Worthen Bank Building
| Industry | Banking (historically) |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | Worthen Bank (established 1877) |
| Founded | 1928 |
| Fate | Acquired by KATV in 1969; later vacated in 2023 |
| Headquarters | Little Rock , United States |
| Products | Banking services (historically) |
Worthen Bank Building
Located at 401 Main Street in downtown Little Rock, Arkansas, the Worthen Bank Building is a historic two-story masonry edifice showcasing elements of neoclassical and Art Deco design. Erected in 1928 for the Worthen Bank—established in 1877 and eventually absorbed into St. Louis-based Boatmen's Bancshares, which later became part of Bank of America—the structure was the work of esteemed local architect George R. Mann, renowned for designing the Arkansas State Capitol. This steel-framed construction is clad in limestone and features distinctive tripartite windows on its upper floor. Additions such as annexes and a parking garage were incorporated during modernization phases in 1952 and 1962.
After Worthen Bank moved out, the property was acquired in 1969 by local ABC affiliate KATV (channel 7), which transformed it into television studios. Renamed the KATV Building, the site received branding enhancements, including ornamental ironwork inspired by the station’s Circle 7 emblem.
In January 2023, KATV relocated to a new facility within Little Rock’s Riverdale district, citing outdated infrastructure and maintenance backlogs that existed prior to its purchase by Sinclair Broadcasting Group. Current plans involve restoring the original 1928 section to its historical appearance while demolishing mid-century additions and the parking structure to make way for a new technology park.
The Worthen Bank Building was officially placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.