Williamsburgh Savings Bank Building (175 Broadway)

Williamsburgh Savings Bank
New York City Landmark No. 0164, 1910
Map
Location175 Broadway, Brooklyn, New York
Coordinates40°42′37″N 73°57′45″W / 40.71028°N 73.96250°W / 40.71028; -73.96250
Built1875
ArchitectGeorge B. Post
Architectural styleClassical Revival
NRHP reference No.80002642
NYCL No.0164, 1910
Significant dates
Added to NRHPApril 9, 1980[1]
Designated NYCLMay 17, 1966 (exterior)
June 25, 1996 (interior)

The Williamsburgh Savings Bank Building, also known as the Weylin and 175 Broadway, is a former bank building at 175 Broadway in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn in New York City. Constructed as the headquarters of the Williamsburgh Savings Bank in 1875 and subsequently expanded several times, it occupies the northwest corner of Broadway and Driggs Avenue, just south of the Williamsburg Bridge. The Williamsburgh Savings Bank Building was designed in the Classical Revival style by George B. Post, with interiors by Peter B. Wight.

The portion of the bank building to the east, and the annexes to the west, are designed in the same style. The building's facade is made of marble, limestone, and sandstone. The main entrance is through a flight of steps on Broadway, leading up to an archway in the original building. The roof contains a large steel dome above the building's original portion. Inside, a decorative vestibule leads to the original banking room, which has pilasters and archways beneath the painted dome. A second banking room with a smaller dome was to the west, while the bank's internal offices were to the north.

George B. Post was hired to design the 175 Broadway building in 1869 following an architectural design competition, and it opened in June 1875 as the bank's third headquarters. The bank's business expanded through the late 19th century, prompting the bank to hire the firm of Helmle, Huberty & Hudswell to design an addition from 1903 to 1906. Further expansions occurred in 1923–1925 and 1941–1942. Though the bank moved its headquarters to One Hanson Place in Downtown Brooklyn in 1929, the 175 Broadway building remained in use as a branch. The building's facade and original banking room are New York City designated landmarks, and the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. The Williamsburgh Savings Bank became part of HSBC Bank USA through several mergers, and HSBC sold the building in 2010. Following a renovation, the banking hall became an event space called the Weylin in 2014.

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