First National Bank of Commerce Building, Art Deco bank building in Central Business District, New Orleans, United States.
The First National Bank of Commerce Building is a 19-story Art Deco tower completed in 1927, standing 252 feet (77 meters) tall on Baronne Street in downtown New Orleans. The facade features distinctive terra cotta ornaments and set-back corners that create a striking vertical profile.
The building was designed by architect Emile Weil in 1927 and originally served as headquarters for Canal Bank and Trust before becoming the First National Bank of Commerce office. It documents the banking sector's expansion in New Orleans during the pre-war period.
The building displays the Art Deco style that shaped New Orleans in the 1920s, merging business functions with refined craftsmanship. This blend of form and purpose defined the wealthy banking districts of that era.
The building sits in an active commercial district with good public transit access and walkable surroundings that make it easy to reach. Current use as mixed residential and commercial spaces means visitors can view the exterior and possibly the lobby, though interior areas may have limited access.
After a major 2015 restoration, the original bank building was converted into luxury apartments called Four Winds, a rare adaptive reuse for a historic structure in this area. The transformation preserves the historic facade while the interior meets modern residential standards.
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