United States National Bank Building, Classical bank building in downtown Portland, United States.
The United States National Bank Building is a four-story classical structure with Corinthian columns and a glazed terracotta exterior that covers its entire facade. Inside, marble columns line the banking hall, creating a grand entrance space where banking operations continue today.
The eastern section was completed in 1917, showcasing the city's early embrace of classical bank design. A western extension was added in 1925, doubling the building's size and reflecting the growth of banking operations in Portland.
The building displays Roman classical elements like lion heads and ornamental details in its friezes, reflecting Portland's financial importance during the early 1900s. These decorative features remain visible to visitors walking past the entrance and along the exterior walls today.
The building sits at the corner of Broadway and Stark Street, making it easy to spot during a walk through downtown. Since it continues to function as a working bank, regular operating hours apply if you want to view the interior.
The two-phase construction shows how a single architect could maintain a consistent design vision across multiple years without breaking the original style. The way both sections blend together seamlessly reveals the careful attention to detail that went into Portland's urban renewal.
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