BROOKLYN — Brooklyn Heights can add two new landmarks to its list of historic buildings.
The Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) voted on Tuesday to designate the People’s Trust Company building at 181 Montague St. and the National Title Guaranty Company building at 185 Montague St. as city landmarks, the agency said.
The neo-Classical bank at 181 Montague St. was built in 1904 for the Brooklyn-based People’s Trust Company, making it one of the first commercial banks built in Brooklyn Heights. It currently houses a Citibank branch.
The building — which includes Greek, Roman and Renaissance styles of architecture — features floral etchings and lions along the facade. The building’s four, 28-ton Ionic columns marked the largest marble blocks ever quarried when it was constructed, the LPC said.
The limestone-and-brick National Title Company building was designed in the Art Deco style in 1929 and 1930 by Corbett, Harrison & MacMurray, the LPC said. It was built to accommodate Brooklyn's growing residential population in the early 20th century.
“These two adjacent buildings are critical to the unique character of what is known as Bank Row,” LPC Chair Meenakshi Srinivasan said in a statement.
“Built a quarter of a century apart, they are striking examples of the optimistic architecture of their times — one looking to the past to convey stability and reliability, and one looking to future growth and success. Both imposing and well-preserved, 181 and 185 Montague complete the Commission’s collection of historic financial services institutions that highlight the commercial history of this important Brooklyn corridor.”
The “Bank Row” buildings — which both sit on Montague Street between Clinton and Court streets — stand just outside the Brooklyn Heights and the Borough Hall skyscraper historic districts.
