First National Bank
The First National Bank of Charlotte was established in 1865. It was the first national bank in the South post-war. In 1907 Henry McAden became the last president of the First National Bank of Charlotte. He hired Louis Asbury to build him a home in Myers Park in 1916. He must have been satisfied because in 1925 he hired Asbury to design the largest building in the state.
In 1927, when the First National Bank Building opened, it was the tallest building in the Carolinas. This twenty story steel-framed office building fits most common definitions of a skyscraper. The First National Bank Building was originally designed to house a bank on the bottom floor and office space on the floors above. In 1927 the Federal Reserve moved into the top 2 floors of the building. It was built in the commercial center of the city and would be the tallest building for 40 more years.
Asbury used ornamental stone-work on the building's three story base. There is a two and half story archway with carved stonework, which was carved on site. The ornate stonework continues in sections up the facade of the building. There is multicolored sandstone on the first three floors of the building that transitions into plain limestone. Because of the symmetry, emphasis on basic geometric shapes, and carved limestone, the building fits the Neoclassic style.
The First Natiional Bank of Charlotte closed its doors on December 4, 1930; however, the building at 110-112 N. Tryon Street still stands and is still used for its original design today. (1)
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1. "Survey and Research Report First National Bank Building," Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission, Accessed December 11, 2012. http://www.cmhpf.org.