From the “They Sure Don’t Build Office Buildings Like That Anymore” file come this shot of the gorgeous building that housed the Los Angeles First National Trust and Savings Bank. It stood at the corner of Lake Ave and Colorado Blvd in Pasadena. This photo is circa 1928. And while it may not have been a big building, it’s loaded with charm. Just look at that band of detailing that enveloped the building above the arches. But also note the network of electric lines for the streetcars. I wish LA still had streetcars, but these lines made for an unattractive cityscape.
I don’t know which corner this building sat on, but it doesn’t matter because it no longer stands on any of the Lake and Colorado corners. So instead of a “now” photo, here’s a close-up of the detailing.
Per this ad (https://i0.wp.com/homesteadmuseum.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Oak-Knoll-opening-ad-Pasadena_Evening_Post_Wed__Jan_4__1928_.jpg) announcing the opening of the building on January 5, 1928 (complete with an orchestra performance), it was located on the southeast corner of Lake and Colorado.
What a wonderful find! Thanks Bernard!
Amazingly the same street light is still there, though everything else is gone. By that I mean the two globe one on the right side, or sunny side of the building. I see two other structures that look like some sort of lights, with a round top and three globes underneath. Anyone know what those are? One on the extreme right and one directly under the Los Angeles First National sign. It is still a bank, by the way. Chase, now.
I love that ornamental band. Usually they’re in terra cotta, but lots were ceramic as well. The Hungarian ceramics company, Zsolnay, did a lot of architectural ornamental work in addition to vases and such at the turn of the 20th century.
President Gerald Ford re-election campaign had office space on the ground floor of that corner. You know what happened to his bid.