The Society for Savings Bank Hall at Key Center

Burnham and Root
1889-90




The south facade

Like most early skyscrapers, this building has a base, a shaft with varied fenestration, and an obvious top. Even the corners have a kind of modified turret. It is faced with pink sandstone and uses pink granite pillars. The sturdy base (see below) is clunky Romanesque in style. Rough cut masonry emphasizes strength, perhaps appropriate for a bank. Although it is a steel-frame building, the base is canted, as if it were masonry. The ten-story building was completely rehabilitated and connected to the new, adjoining 55-story tower.
 
 
 

The east end of the south front and entrance door

 

The main entrance door--west end of the south front

Above the door a tympanum has a carved coat of arms. The tympanum is characteristic of both Romanesque and Gothic portals.
 

Iron decorative motifs reminiscent of Louis Sullivan

The lantern is dated 1890.



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© 2005 Mary Ann Sullivan. I have photographed (on site), scanned, and manipulated all the images on these pages. Please feel free to use them for personal or educational purposes. They are not available for commercial purposes.

Page created by Mary Ann Sullivan