EXCHANGE BANK PLANS A MODERN TEN-STORY SKYSCRAPER

For almost a year starting in 1921 the newspapers buzzed with articles about Exchange Bank's plans to build a 10-story building with the bank on the lower floors and offices for rent on the uppers. Numerous articles described how it would be Tampa's tallest and most beautiful brick building to cost $750.000. It was to be built on the same site as the old brick one at Franklin & Twiggs once it was demolished.

SKYSCRAPER PLANS SCRAPPED FOR A TWO-STORY BUILDING

Delays before and during demolition and construction (which included a lawsuit and a stubborn mule, separately) set the new construction later.  The legal case involved a tenant who had a lease with the building owner of the property on the north side of the bank.  His claim was that he had a letter from the owner stating that his lease would be extended.  This held up in court and delayed the bank's plans to build the 10-story, $750k building for four months until deals were worked out.  it was not until Sept of 1922 that the bank directors released this design which eliminated the upper floor offices and provided space only for the bank.  It was to be a $250,000 two-story Greek-style limestone structure designed and built by Stone & Webster.

Nov. 22, 1923
 

EXCHANGE BANK PLANS A SIX-STORY ADDITION

On June 12, 1955, Exchange Bank announced plans to build a $1M six-story expansion on the north side of the current 1923 building. Demolition of the building where the expansion would be built began on June 20, 1955.  Biting the dust in this old building was the home of Ferrell Jewelry Co. and the bank's trust and personal loan departments.  "A modernistic new bank building will rise on the spot and is to be completed in a year." 

The present 2-story bank building (3-story if you count the height of the first floor as 2 stories) would be combined with the new structure in an unusual way.  Common walls would be torn out to make a single ground floor.  A balcony would be built on the 2nd floor of the new addition from which observers could look out over the huge main room of the old structure.  Bookkeeping and internal working departments would be combined in a common third floor.  The top three stories of the new building would be cantilevered over the old building for 14 feet. 

With the expansion, the bank would occupy the entire 105 ft by 105 ft. quarter block at the corner of Twiggs & Franklin streets. The entrance of the old bank was to be modernized and the new building is of modern design, faced on the ground floor with dark granite and with light brick on the higher levels to match the limestone of the old building.  Trim was to be aluminum.  Plans were to rent the top 3 floors of the new addition to "professional men."

The new building was designed by architect Elliott Fletcher and the building contractor was C. A. Fielland. Notice that the building sketch appears to have seven floors but the top floor was planned as a facade with false windows.

CONSTRUCTION BEGINS

Demolition of the Ferrell Jewelry building on the north side of the 1923 building was completed in mid-August 1955.
The photo of the steel framing was taken March 16, 1956.

By the end of May 1956 work had begun on adding the glazed brick facing, pouring floors, plumbing, electrical, and air conditioning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By mid-November 1956 the 7-story addition was nearly completed.  Construction crews had removed the tunnel walkway on Franklin St. which was necessary for safety of pedestrians.  Nearby businesses such as Haber's, Hardy's and National Shirt Shops breathed a sigh of relief as the intersection of Franklin and Twiggs streets was reopened. No article was found announcing the addition's completion, but it can be assumed it was completed by the end of Nov. 1956 due to businesses moving in starting on Dec. 1.  In mid-January 1957, the last department of the bank moved in from its temporary location at 509 Morgan St. 

NEW EXCHANGE BANK TOWER PLANNED
Architect: Harry A. MacEwen of Tampa, Contractor J.A. Jones Construction Co. of Charlotte, NC.

Preliminary architect Harry A. MacEwen's sketch, 1963.

In the model below can be seen the oldest building, built in 1923 replacing an old brick building.
Above it to the right is the 7-story addition, completed in 1956.

Read the whole article for details about the building.
 

Construction on the new tower began with groundbreaking ceremony on Mar. 17, 1964.  The new 22-story tower was built on the Florida Avenue side of the two existing Exchange Bank Buildings on Franklin St., all between Zack & Twiggs St.  The new tower was built with an interior  connection to the 7-story building, but due to the differences in floor heights, a short flight of stairs was needed to go from one to the other.

After demolition of the old buildings on the block, construction on the foundation began in July 1964.

By September 1964 steelwork had begun.
SEE LARGER

October 14, 1964 - Main steel framing of the parking garage floors completed.
This view was taken from across Florida Ave. at Twiggs St. Notice the air-conditioned construction offices at left.

The steelwork was topped off on March 3, 1965 with a ceremony held on the terrace of the Post Office across Florida Avenue.
The Post Office was located in the basement of the Federal Court building, which now operates as a hotel. At upper right is the Citizens Bank building.

 

The new tower featured 6 floors of garage parking with a capacity of 420 cars for customers and tenant use. (The first two parking floors were reserved for customers.)  By late Oct. 1965, the Florida Ave. side lobby was open for business.