A Historic Gem Waiting, Waiting....

Bank of California

 People who care about Portland’s architectural history frequently see a significant building that needs  preservation or a new use – or both.

Thus we hear from Portland historian Dan Haneckow whose attention is drawn to the 1925 Bank of California building designed by A.E. Doyle.  The three-story, Italian Renaissance palace was erected late in Doyle’s career, probably when his life already was threatened by the kidney disease that took his life in 1928.

 “It’s a conundrum; a beautiful building, long vacant, in an area with little need for a bank,” Haneckow notes.  “It looks like it would be a great space, but for what?  Every time I walk past it I consider the problem but as of yet, have not come up with a solution.”

Nor has anyone else, sadly, in the last 15 years or so since its last tenant moved out.  The Bank of California departed for a new tower in 1969.  Subsequent tenants included insurance and brokerage houses.  At some point, the name "Three Kings" was placed over the original bank sign.  A polite notice  in the window says the building is for sale or lease, should you be interested.

The renaissance palace concept obviously had a strong hold in Doyle’s mind at the time.  The Bank of California was followed quickly by the much larger Pacific Building which remains a vibrant office and retail venue downtown.  The 10th story penthouse at the Pacific Building also served as Doyle’s last architecture office, although his failing health restricted his activity there.

The Bank of California sits in an interesting position, directly across the street from Doyle’s Roman Corinthian temple he designed earlier for U.S. National Bank.  Each of them, and the two together, rank among the city’s best examples of architecture reflecting historical styles.

U.S. National Bank

Both were built in an era when a bank was intended to impart feelings of culture and financial strength for customers entering to make important transactions.  Now we do business on electronic gadgets in our pockets or purses.

Although the Bank of California looks like it is faced with stone, the material is terra cotta, a molded clay product that is fired at length at high temperature.  Doyle loved terra cotta, and used it in many of the 20 buildings he designed downtown, including retail stores that old-timers will recall as Meier & Frank, Lipman-Wolfe & Co., and Olds, Wortman & King.

One beauty of terra cotta is that it survives well in a wet climate like Portland’s.  Another is that glazes can be selected for certain colors.  Both attributes are showcased at these two buildings straddling S.W. 6th Avenue.

 Despite its prolonged vacancy, the Bank of California has some assets that have served it well.  Its tall, strong Florentine arches resist temptations for cheap, easy changes to the facades.  The elegant, two-story banking lobby also has survived intact.

 Another survival benefit has been its ownership by a firm headed by Fariborz Maseeh, a successful high-tech entrepreneur who has been a major donor at Portland State University.  Though long vacant, the building appears to be in good condition.

Speaking about the building in 2006, William J. Hawkins, a Portland architect and architectural historian, told a news reporter, "It's an exceptionally fine building by Doyle.  It set a high standard for Portland design for decades."

 One hopes that somewhere, someday, a new tenant once again will make good use of this architectural gem.