Manufacturers' Hanover Trust
Architect: Gordon Bunshaft for Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (1953)
Location: New York City, New York
This is the more classic view of this bank, showing the two sides.
The chairman of this bank specifically requested a building that shone as a beacon and conveyed transparency and openness. This was in stark contrast to the imposing, fortress-like stone bank buildings that were typical of the time, and was then widely copied throughout the rest of the country and the world. The design was a tremendous success.
MHT was acquired by Chase Manhattan in the 1990s. This building recently closed as a bank branch and was the subject of some controversy, as the developer was going to split the building into two separate retail structures - destroying the look of the building. Also, two art pieces by Harry Bertoia that were part of the original design were removed. But after a lawsuit and strong outcry from the public, the developer agreed to keep it more or less intact, and to put the sculptures back in their original spots. It's now a clothing store and the Bertoia sculptures are well cared for.
Manufacturers' Hanover Trust
Architect: Gordon Bunshaft for Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (1953)
Location: New York City, New York
This is the more classic view of this bank, showing the two sides.
The chairman of this bank specifically requested a building that shone as a beacon and conveyed transparency and openness. This was in stark contrast to the imposing, fortress-like stone bank buildings that were typical of the time, and was then widely copied throughout the rest of the country and the world. The design was a tremendous success.
MHT was acquired by Chase Manhattan in the 1990s. This building recently closed as a bank branch and was the subject of some controversy, as the developer was going to split the building into two separate retail structures - destroying the look of the building. Also, two art pieces by Harry Bertoia that were part of the original design were removed. But after a lawsuit and strong outcry from the public, the developer agreed to keep it more or less intact, and to put the sculptures back in their original spots. It's now a clothing store and the Bertoia sculptures are well cared for.