Chicago City Bank & Trust Co. (Former)

“Many feature a profusion of distinctive ornamentation, while others exhibit more streamlined decorative elements. Many of these neighborhood banks retain their original banking halls. Innovations in steel structural systems in the early-twentieth century allowed for ever larger banking halls with open floor plans and high vaulted, coffered, and domed ceilings.”

“During the first-half of the twentieth century, Illinois state law prohibited banks from opening multiple branches to prevent the growth of banking monopolies. Consequently, independent neighborhood banks played an important role in the development of Chicago by providing financial services and building and business loans.”

“The Chicago architectural firm of Marshall and Fox, designers of the Sheridan Trust and Savings Bank Building (later known as the Uptown National Bank), was acclaimed for its historical revival designs and for establishing an unmatched standard of excellence for Chicago’s most elegant apartment buildings and hotels, including the Drake, Blackstone (both Chicago Landmarks) and Edgewater Beach hotels (demolished).”

“These “cities within a city” met the basic needs of residents, who saw no reason to travel downtown regularly. During the first half of the twentieth century, Illinois state laws prohibited banks from opening multiple branches.”

“By the time bank construction resumed in the 1950s, transformations in both the banking industry and architectural styles resulted in great changes in bank architecture. Regulation of the banking industry after the Depression resulted in a new emphasis on customer service as one of the few ways that banks could compete with each other.”

“In 1921 Epstein established his own firm specializing in industrial and commercial buildings. His practice provided both engineering and architectural services, an innovation in 1921. In addition to these two banks, Epstein designed several-high quality industrial, warehouse, and commercial buildings.”

“A prominent realtor in Chicago’s Englewood community, Rathje also helped organize the Mutual National Bank of Chicago (1917) and the Commonwealth State Bank (1919). Chicago City Bank and Trust Co. consolidated with the Guarantee Trust and Savings Bank and the United States Bank of Chicago in early 1930, retaining its own name.”

“The floor is finished with polished pink and gray marble. In 2005, Florian Architects of Chicago was awarded a National Honor Award from the American Institute of Architects for its exquisite renovation of the immense second-floor banking hall.”

“The bank closed on August 31, 1931, later reopening as a national bank. It now stands as an imposing edifice in the heart of the 63rd Street and Western Avenue shopping district.”

“It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Uptown Square Historic District. The banking hall is reached by a grand staircase and occupies the entire second and third floors of the building.”