First National Bank Building, Early 20th-century bank building in Downtown Denver, US
The First National Bank Building is a 28-story high-rise at the corner of 17th and Stout Streets in downtown Denver, rising about 385 feet (117 m) tall. The structure combines the functional design of the Chicago School with decorative terra cotta and stone elements across its facade.
The building was designed in 1911 by architect Harry W.J. Edbrooke and stood as Denver's tallest structure for decades. It later lost this ranking as new towers rose in the city, yet it remains an important part of Denver's early 20th-century skyline.
The building displays Chicago School features with terra cotta and stone decorations that were typical of early American bank design. These ornaments still shape the facade today and show how banks once used grand architecture to display their importance and stability.
The building now houses a hotel and retail spaces, so visitors can enter the interior or stay overnight to experience the space. Its central location at a major intersection makes the facade easy to see from the street and explore the architectural details.
During the 1960s, the original terra cotta facade was partially covered with concrete, changing the building's appearance. This modification remains visible today and shows how architectural choices from decades ago still shape the structure's look.
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