National American Bank Building

National American Bank Building is a 23-story 325 feet (99 m)-tall skyscraper in the Central Business District of New Orleans, Louisiana, [2] It was completed in 1929 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.[1] It is topped with a distinctive 6-story octagonal tower with a golden Art Deco finial. Its address is 200 Carondelet Street. Originally a commercial building it was renovated for use as a residential building after Hurricane Katrina.

Art Deco finial atop National American Bank Building in 2009

National American Bank Building
West facade 2009
Location200 Carondelet Street, New Orleans, Louisiana
Coordinates29°57′8″N 90°4′14″W
Area0.3 acre
Built1929
ArchitectMoise H. Goldstein Sr., et al.
Architectural styleGothic, Other, Modernistic
NRHP reference No.86001048[1]
Added to NRHPMay 15, 1986

Description

The building was constructed from 1928 to 1929, under the direction of Louisiana architect Moise Goldstein; the general contractor was George J. Glover Company.[2] Construction consisted of a steel skeleton, concrete, and hollow tiles.[3] Bricks were used for common walls.[3] The base of the building was faced with polished granite and a limestone facade was used on the upper floors. On top of the 23rd floor is a 6-story octagonal tower, covered by an ornamental finial.[2] The building was the first in New Orleans to utilize indoor air-conditioning within a public space.[4]

In the late 1980s, when the building was assessed for National Register listing, the interior lobby area was marble clad, and the ceiling was described as, "gold and silver leaf pressed metal with a repeating chevron and diamond point pattern".[5] The banking hall roof was supported by columns, and bronze was used for elevator doors, panels, and check stations. The banking hall also retained its original chandeliers, as well as walnut paneling on the walls.[5]

History
Entrance to "200 Carondelet" in 2009

During peak occupation of the building in the 20th century, banks utilized the ground floor and mezzanine, while upper floors were occupied by law firms and other businesses. By 2000, the building was vacant. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, renovation opportunities arose to replace thousands of rental units lost in the storm.[4] Renovation of the structure was completed in 2008, using public and private investment to convert the building into mixed income residential apartments, under the name "200 Carondelet".[4]

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See also

References
  1. National Register Digital Assets – National American Bank Building Retrieved 2017-07-08.
  2. Compiled by Leonard V. Huber (1984). Landmarks of New Orleans. Louisiana Landmarks Society and Orleans Parish Landmarks Commission. ISBN 9781879714014. Retrieved July 8, 2017.
  3. Mary Louise Christovich; et al. (1972). New Orleans Architecture: The American Sector, Volume 2. Pelican Publishing Company. ISBN 9781455609338. Retrieved July 8, 2017.
  4. "State of Louisiana Funds $68 Million Historic Redevelopment for Workforce Housing at 200 Carondelet in New Orleans". Louisiana Recovery Authority. March 20, 2009. Retrieved July 8, 2017.
  5. "National American Bank Building" (PDF). State of Louisiana's Division of Historic Preservation. 1986. Retrieved July 9, 2017. with three photos and a map
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