Cass Gilbert's Woolworth Building

Irving National Bank

Irving National Bank was a central part of the Woolworth Building, both spatially and financially. To make his skyscraper financially viable, F.W. Woolworth needed an anchor tenant. Irving National Bank was the ideal tenant; in addition to serving as an anchor, the bank also financed the acquisition of the property. Under the direction of its president, Lewis E. Pierson, the bank would move its headquarters into the Woolworth Building.

The bank occupied the entirety of the second floor, and it was accessible through the lobby's grand central staircase and two ornate staircases flanking the Broadway entrance to the lobby. In addition to a public banking hall, it also included administrative office spaces.
The bank's interior spaces were modeled on English halls and houses from the Elizabethan era. Although these interiors are gone, Vanderbilt's collection features a wide range of drawings for the banks, revealing many of the diverse components necessary for its expansive and elaborate design.

This drawing shows a number of sections in the main banking hall.

This drawing depicts a section of the banking hall looking towards the main entrance from the lobby's central staircase.

This drawing shows sections, elevations, and floor plans of the same space within the bank on the second and third stories.

This drawing shows an elevation of bronze banking screens in the banking hall, indicating their designs and materials. 

The bank also included managerial spaces, like its Officer's Room.

This design for the bank's board room combines various perspectives on a single space, including sections and details in addition to a floor plan.

The architect's drawings included specific details, like this lamp bracket design for the bank, in addition to large scale floor plans and elevations.

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