New York City is known for its ability to change and adapt. Houses of worship become nightclubs, shopping centers and condos. Former factories and warehouses become residential lofts. Back in the old days, banks built impressive banking halls rather than renting in glass, ground floor glass cubbies we see today. Some of these ornate bank buildings – including some landmarked architectural gems – have been converted to residential uses. Below are ten examples of listings within these great, solidly-built bank buildings.
The Spring at 225 Lafayette Street was the former East River Savings Bank Building designed by Cass Gilbert, the architect of the legendary Woolworth Building. Africa Israel Investments converted the 14-story building into 40 residences and 12,000 square feet of retail space in 2004.
This spacious two-bedroom plus home office has more than 2,000 square feet of living space and a chef's kitchen with high-end appliances that include a Bosch stove, Sub-Zero refrigerator and Miele dishwasher. The oversized master bedroom offers a private oasis from the rest of the apartment with sun coming in from three east-facing windows, a large walk-in closet, and beautiful en-suite bathroom that offers both a deep soaking tub, and glass-enclosed shower. The master bedroom offers an additional windowed office space.
This spacious two-bedroom plus home office has more than 2,000 square feet of living space and a chef's kitchen with high-end appliances that include a Bosch stove, Sub-Zero refrigerator and Miele dishwasher. The oversized master bedroom offers a private oasis from the rest of the apartment with sun coming in from three east-facing windows, a large walk-in closet, and beautiful en-suite bathroom that offers both a deep soaking tub, and glass-enclosed shower. The master bedroom offers an additional windowed office space.
Located at 15 Broad Street in the Financial District, Downtown by Starck is named after Philippe Starck, the “starchitect” who oversaw the design of its conversion from offices to residential condos. The building once housed the headquarters of J.P. Morgan’s banking segment and now contains approximately 380 apartments.
This open studio at 15 Broad Street has 11-foot beamed ceilings, oversize windows and hardwood flooring throughout. The Phillipe Starck-designed kitchen offers ample work space for cooking or entertaining. Appliances are top-of-the-line and include a concealed dishwasher, garbage disposal, and washer/dryer. The white-Thasos marble bath comes with a deep soaking tub. See full listing and floor plan here.
This open studio at 15 Broad Street has 11-foot beamed ceilings, oversize windows and hardwood flooring throughout. The Phillipe Starck-designed kitchen offers ample work space for cooking or entertaining. Appliances are top-of-the-line and include a concealed dishwasher, garbage disposal, and washer/dryer. The white-Thasos marble bath comes with a deep soaking tub. See full listing and floor plan here.
The top four floors of the 8-story, landmark, Apple Bank Building that occupies the full block bounded by Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue and 73rd and 74th Streets were converted to 29 residential condominium apartments in 2006. The huge and grand, four-story high banking hall of the Apple Bank in the base of the building was not altered and has its own entrance.
This grand three-bed, three-bath condo in the Apple Bank building located in the heart of the Upper West Side features 11.5 ft ceilings, hardwood floors, and large over-sized casement windows. The light-filled home has open views that include the historic Ansonia Building. There is a large central foyer, windowed eat-in kitchen with a hooded Viking industrial stove, Subzero refrigerator, Bosch dishwasher, Miele microwave, and marble counter tops. The master suite has a built-in entertainment system, a five fixture windowed master bath with a deep jetted soaking tub, and three large closets including a massive walk-in closet. See full listing and floor plan here.
This grand three-bed, three-bath condo in the Apple Bank building located in the heart of the Upper West Side features 11.5 ft ceilings, hardwood floors, and large over-sized casement windows. The light-filled home has open views that include the historic Ansonia Building. There is a large central foyer, windowed eat-in kitchen with a hooded Viking industrial stove, Subzero refrigerator, Bosch dishwasher, Miele microwave, and marble counter tops. The master suite has a built-in entertainment system, a five fixture windowed master bath with a deep jetted soaking tub, and three large closets including a massive walk-in closet. See full listing and floor plan here.
This former New York County Bank Building at the nexus of Greenwich Village and Chelsea was built in 1907 and converted to 11 residential condominiums including a two-story penthouse. The very impressive and ornate limestone-clad building was designated an official New York City landmark in 1988. The former bank was also used for a while as a theater until 1999 when those 11 apartments were created. The bank's original steel vault can still be seen in the attended lobby. Custom-designed apartment sizes vary from 1,500 to over 3,000 square feet with high ceilings, large windows and private outdoor space.
Designed by international interior designer Tui Pranich, every inch of this masterpiece is customized in great detail- from the polished concrete floors, bamboo paneling, customized lighting for artwork, motorized shades, kitchen cabinetry and stainless steel appliances, no stone has been left unturned. With ample closet space hidden throughout, the loft has a living room and dining area that spans 40-feet north to south. See full listing and floor plan here.
Designed by international interior designer Tui Pranich, every inch of this masterpiece is customized in great detail- from the polished concrete floors, bamboo paneling, customized lighting for artwork, motorized shades, kitchen cabinetry and stainless steel appliances, no stone has been left unturned. With ample closet space hidden throughout, the loft has a living room and dining area that spans 40-feet north to south. See full listing and floor plan here.
Architecture critic Carter Horsley calls this iconic see-it-from-everywhere clock tower, "the finest landmarked skyscraper in Brooklyn and one of the best Art Deco towers in New York City." One Hanson Place was erected in 1927 as the Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower and was converted to 175 residential condominiums in 2006. The tower enjoys a prime Fort Greene location next to the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Interiors feature loft-like details, and amenities include a gym, full-time doorman and concierge, a children’s playroom, a business center, bicycle and stroller storage and a sky lounge and terrace.
This one-of-a-kind, two-bedroom loft has 18-foot ceilings with arched windows provide the quintessential wow factor when entering the apartment. The adjacent second bedroom has a large closet and is the perfect guest room or home office with a full bath across the hall. See full listing and floor plan here.
This one-of-a-kind, two-bedroom loft has 18-foot ceilings with arched windows provide the quintessential wow factor when entering the apartment. The adjacent second bedroom has a large closet and is the perfect guest room or home office with a full bath across the hall. See full listing and floor plan here.
This latest bank-to-residential conversion can be found in 49 Chambers Street, the former home of the Emigrant Industrial Savings Bank, once the largest bank in the United States. It was designed in 1912 by Raymond F. Almirall and was the headquarters of the bank until the 1960s. In 2013, The Chetrit Group acquired the building and tasked Gabellini Sheppard to design the interiors, which feature warm and earthy tones with accents in bronze, metal, and mirror. Along with 99 condominiums, the conversion will bring luxurious amenities that include a landscaped roof deck, swimming pool, hammam and spa, sauna and steam rooms, and much more.
This well-appointed 968 SF one-bedroom, one-and-a-half bath residence designed by Gabellini Sheppard has a grand entry door that leads to this sophisticated home featuring ample closet space, unique craftsmanship and hickory hardwood floors in a custom chevron pattern throughout. See full listing and floor plan here.
This well-appointed 968 SF one-bedroom, one-and-a-half bath residence designed by Gabellini Sheppard has a grand entry door that leads to this sophisticated home featuring ample closet space, unique craftsmanship and hickory hardwood floors in a custom chevron pattern throughout. See full listing and floor plan here.
The Brooklyn Trust Company Building at 177 Montague Street at Clinton Street in Brooklyn Heights is one of the handsomest pre-war buildings in Brooklyn and its top floors were converted in 2015 to 12 residential condominiums. The building has a lounge, a music room, a fitness center, two playrooms and a roof terrace with a barbecue grill. The bank vault will house a bicycle and stroller room and a dog spa. Apartments range from two-bedrooms to five-bedrooms.
In 1907, the Beaux Arts building housing Roosevelt Savings Bank opened at 1024 Gates Avenue, on the border of Bedford-Stuyvesant and Bushwick. Nearly 110 years later, it has been converted to rentals and rechristened Brooklyn Roosevelt. Units feature central air and heat, dishwashers, utterly massive bedrooms, hardwood floors and video intercoms. Many of the historic architectural details were left intact during the conversion. The bank’s vault is now a bike room, and original details can be seen in the attended lobby, fitness center, yoga studio, complimentary on-site café, game room, and lounge. See full listing and floor plan here.
Built in 1931 to be the Wall Street headquarters for the City Bank Farmers Trust Company (today called CitiBank), the 56-story Financial District landmark at 20 Exchange Place is now home to luxury rental residences and is known simply as Twenty Exchange. Over 700 units in all, apartment interiors have classic prewar details and modern living conveniences. Interiors feature preserved historic details, stainless steel appliances, custom cabinetry, contemporary tiling, and custom sinks and vanities. This beautiful studio unit is offered furnished or unfurnished and is ready for immediate move-in. See full listing and floor plan here.
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