Bank of Italy Building (San Jose, California)

Bank of Italy Building

Top of the Bank of America building in Downtown San Jose
Former names Bank of America Building
General information
Status Complete
Type Commercial offices
Architectural style Renaissance Revival
Location 12 South First Street
San Jose, California
Coordinates 37°20′09″N 121°53′24″W / 37.3358°N 121.89°W / 37.3358; -121.89Coordinates: 37°20′09″N 121°53′24″W / 37.3358°N 121.89°W / 37.3358; -121.89
Construction started 1925
Completed 1926
Cost US$1 million
Height
Antenna spire 77.72 m (255.0 ft)
Roof 69.2 m (227 ft)
Top floor 53.65 m (176.0 ft)
Technical details
Floor count 14
Lifts/elevators 3
Design and construction
Architect Henry A. Minton
References
[1][2][3]

The Bank of Italy Building is a 14-story, 77.72 m (255.0 ft) Renaissance Revival high-rise built in 1925 in downtown San Jose, California. This building became the second home to the first branch of the Bank of Italy, founded in San Francisco in 1904, which later became the Bank of America.[4] The first location of the Bank of Italy in San Jose, was on the corner of Santa Clara St. and Lightson Alley, near the intersection with Market Street. Restaurants and other businesses occupy the original building, which has been heavily remodeled. A reconstruction of the original building is at History Park in San Jose.[5]

History

The Bank of Italy Building is one of the oldest skyscrapers in the Silicon Valley, and was designed by architect H.A. Minton. From when it was built in 1926 until 1970, it was the tallest building between San Francisco and Los Angeles. It is a Mediterranean Revival—Beaux-Arts architecture style structure, with a red-tile mansard roof and a decorative cupola with a needle-like spire featuring a tall green light.

Present

The building is a designated San Jose Historical Landmark, and in a National Register of Historic Places—Historic District. It is currently used for office space for various law firms and tax services among others, in addition to a pawn shop and a night club, and formerly an AIDS advocacy group.[6]

The Old Bank of Italy building is located at 12 South 1st Street in San Jose, California 95113.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Bank of Italy Building (San Jose, California) at Emporis
  2. ↑ "Bank of Italy Building". SkyscraperPage.
  3. ↑ Bank of Italy Building (San Jose, California) at Structurae
  4. ↑ "Old Bank of America Building - San Jose, CA". Waymarking. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  5. ↑ "Bank of Italy". History San Jose. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  6. ↑ Julia Prodis Sulek (23 May 2010). "Taste of Silicon Valley attracts restaurants, foodies in name of fight against AIDS". The San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
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External image
Main entrance as seen from Santa Clara & First
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