| Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower | |
|---|---|
 The tower seen from Fourth Avenue in 2010 | |
 | |
| Alternative names | One Hanson Place |
| General information | |
| Type | Mixed-use (mostly residential) |
| Architectural style | Neo-Romanesque |
| Address | 1 Hanson Place Brooklyn, New York 11217 |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 40°41′08″N 73°58′40″W / 40.68556°N 73.97778°W |
| Named for | Williamsburgh Savings Bank |
| Construction started | 1927 |
| Completed | May 1929 |
| Opened | April 1, 1929 |
| Renovated | 2006–2007 |
| Height | |
| Roof | 512 feet (156 m) |
| Technical details | |
| Structural system | Steel superstructure |
| Floor count | 41 |
| Floor area | 273,186 sq ft (25,379.8 m2) |
| Lifts/elevators | 12 |
| Grounds | 20,263 sq ft (1,882.5 m2) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Halsey, McCormack & Helmer |
| Developer | Williamsburgh Savings Bank |
| Known for | Tallest building in Brooklyn from 1929 to 2009 |
| Renovating team | |
| Renovating firm | H. Thomas O'Hara |
| Designated | November 15, 1977[1] |
| Reference no. | 0971[1] |
| Designated entity | Facade |
| Designated | June 25, 1996[2] |
| Reference no. | 1909[2] |
| Designated entity | Lobby and bank interior |
The Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower, also known as One Hanson Place, is a skyscraper in the Fort Greene neighborhood of Brooklyn in New York City, United States. Located at the northeast corner of Ashland Place and Hanson Place near Downtown Brooklyn, the tower was designed by Halsey, McCormack & Helmer and constructed from 1927 to 1929 as the new headquarters for the Williamsburgh Savings Bank. At 41 stories and 512 feet (156 m) tall, the Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower was the tallest building in Brooklyn until 2009.
The Williamsburgh Savings Bank was originally headquartered in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn; its officers decided to construct a new skyscraper headquarters near Downtown Brooklyn in the mid-1920s. The bank occupied the lowest floors when the building opened on April 1, 1929, while the remaining stories were leased as offices. By the late 20th century, dentists' offices occupied much of the structure. The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission designated the tower's exterior as a city landmark in 1977 and designated some of the interior spaces in 1996. Through several mergers, the Williamsburgh Savings Bank became part of HSBC Bank USA, which sold the building in 2004. The building's upper stories were converted to luxury condominium apartments from 2005 to 2007, while the banking hall became an event space.
The building's main entrance is through a large arch on Hanson Place. At ground level, the tower is clad with limestone above a granite dado. Above the sixth story, the building is faced in brick with terracotta decoration, and a series of setbacks taper to a clock tower and a domed roof. Inside is an entrance vestibule and lobby with ornately decorated marble and metalwork. The 63-foot-high (19 m) banking room includes a nave, aisles, and a chancel—spaces similar to those found in a church. A basement lobby leads to Atlantic Terminal and the Atlantic Avenue–Barclays Center station, while a mezzanine-level ladies' lounge overlooks the banking room. When the Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower was completed, there was commentary about both the building's architecture and its symbolism as Brooklyn's tallest building. Over the years, local residents have used the building both as a clock and as a landmark for giving out directions, and the tower has been used as a filming location.