This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Metropolitan Industrial Bank

Taking a look at an influential piece of banking design more than 60 years old.

Some of the most significant historic events in Queens — which shaped our city and nation — were the 1939 World’s Fair and the 1964 World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows Park. Between that period, neighborhoods in close proximity experienced a population boom, and gradual shift in styles from Colonial to more Modernist styles including Art Deco and International Style.

One of the most striking examples of the International Style/Mid-Century Modernism in Queens is exhibited at Bank of America at 99-01 Queens Blvd., Forest Hills. A timeline for the building reads Metropolitan Industrial Bank, Commercial State Bank and Trust Company of NY, Commercial Bank of North America, National Westminster Bank, Fleet Bank, and Bank of America.  

In February 1951, The New York Times announced a 2-story business center, with a 250-ft frontage on the north side of Queens Blvd between 66th Road and 67th Avenue. The western section would house the first Queens branch of the Metropolitan Industrial Bank, and the central section would house 11 mom & pop shops with recessed entryways and zig-zag displays.

Find out what's happening in Forest Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Early shops were a florist, fur shop, beauty salon, candy shop, art shop, and an automobile agency. The eastern section and basement would house the Hollywood Lanes Bowling Alley. The second-story would feature the New York Telephone Company. It opened in 1952.

Alfred Kaskel, President of the Carol Management Corporation, was the builder of record. The client was the Howard Apartments, Inc. Architect Philip Birnbaum was a household name, and was commissioned to design a modern and “aesthetically revolutionary mixed-use commercial development” with central air and heating.

Find out what's happening in Forest Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

This bank was the first in Queens to utilize all industrial materials, redefined banking, and was a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. In order to promote and honor “structures of outstanding design and construction,” the Queens Chamber of Commerce held an annual building awards competition. In December 1952, at its 40th Annual Dinner, 1,100 Chamber members and guests witnessed the Metropolitan Industrial Bank receiving a first prize bronze plaque for “excellence in design and civic value” under the bank building class.

The bank’s triple-height façade brilliantly conforms to the curvature of 66th Road and Queens Boulevard. The entrance pavilion features façade-length curved glass windows, four sections of limestone steps with Modernist steel railings, which lead to a generously-sized Colonnade public rotunda, a central streamlined steel revolving door with a blue terrazzo floor, and left & right-hand side glass doors (formerly Herculite). A band of recessed lighting under a sleek polished steel cornice illuminates Queens Boulevard.

Each section of steps is framed by rectangular light gray Swedish granite columns with polished chrome fins down the center. The columns frame the length of the recessed windows, which are grounded by 7 blue granite planters. Terra cotta-color Swedish granite tiles cover a horizontal band above the cornice, a solid wall, and landscaped sitting area. A flagpole tops the bank, making a patriotic statement.

Patrons were once welcomed by a 22’ x 25’ mural depicting historic scenes of Forest Hills' development. Extending from the curved band of windows and parallel to 66th Road windows lies a streamlined steel trim teakwood balcony bearing a Modernist clock, with steel columns spanning the building’s height.

Underneath sits tellers. Blue terrazzo floors have steel Art Deco motifs, as interior steps have glass-fronted panes with a steel floral motif. Recessed lights and central air are placed into a high plastered ceiling, curving on a diagonal. Unlike other low-rise commercial developments, Philip Birnbaum designed the bank with a green approach, with huge windows enabling natural light, a teakwood balcony, and spaces for plants.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Forest Hills