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The original building on the site was constructed in 1910 in the Mission style following a 1908 acquisition of land on Broad by the Union Savings Banking Company. An article in the Augusta Chronicle cited the building as "one of the prettiest buildings in the city." The furnishings were all of dark mahogany wood and the chandeliers were "the handsomest that have been seen in the city."


Union Savings Bank c. 1912

Union Savings Bank c. 1912

Union Savings Bank c.1917

Union Savings Bank c.1917

Union Savings Bank Bldg. c.1966

Union Savings Bank Bldg. c.1966

Union Savings Bank Bldg. c.2005

Union Savings Bank Bldg. c.2005

Union Savings Bank Building

Union Savings Bank Building

771 Broad St. c.1966

771 Broad St. c.1966

Interior of Bank Building c.2006

Interior of Bank Building c.2006

Ad for office spaces in Union Savings Bank Building c. 1917

Ad for office spaces in Union Savings Bank Building c. 1917

Union Savings Bank c.1916

Union Savings Bank c.1916

The Union Savings Bank was constructed in 1917 to replace the previous loss of the 1916 fire. The building was designed in the Neoclassical Revival Style by Architect R. H. Hunt of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Contracted by the Southern Ferro concrete Company for the facade, a total of $63,000 was amassed for the fireproof facade of Tennessee grey marble and terra cotta. Vault work was done by the New York Safe and Lock Company, the same company that provided vaults for the former structure on the site.

By 1931, the Union Savings Bank Company was liquidated and the Building sat vacant for 33 years until Disney used the building for a few scenes in the remake of "That Darn Cat."

Since 2007, Nicholas Dickinson & Associates have established an architectural firm on the upper story of the 28-foot high structure. The lower levels houses office and retail spaces, and the basement houses Joe's Underground.

Alexander, Goodwin & Garrett. “Offices For Rent .” Augusta Chronicle, 19 Jan. 1917.

Cline, Damon. “Downtown Space to Get a New Story.” Augusta Chronicle, 26 Aug. 2006.

Lee, Joseph M. Augusta: a Postcard History. Arcadia Publishing, 2000, pp. 19-20.

Historic Augusta Vertical Files: 700 Block Broad Street

Staff. “Build Now Campaign in August Is Proving Very Satisfactory.” Augusta Chronicle, 19 Aug. 1917.

Staff. “Contract Let for New Bank Building.” Augusta Chronicle, 24 Nov. 1916, pp. 3–3.

Staff. “One of the Prettiest of Bank Buildings.” Augusta Chronicle, 30 Jan. 1910, pp. 3–3.

Image Sources(Click to expand)

Lee, Joseph M. Augusta: a Postcard History. Arcadia Publishing, 2000, pp. 19.

Lee, Joseph M. Augusta: a Postcard History. Arcadia Publishing, 2000, pp. 20.

Historic Augusta Vertical Files: 700 Block Broad Street

Historic Augusta Vertical Files: 700 Block Broad Street

Historic Augusta Vertical Files: 700 Block Broad Street

Historic Augusta Vertical Files: 700 Block Broad Street

Drowlette, Annette M. Union Savings Bank Building. Augusta, 26 Aug. 2006.

Alexander, Goodwin & Garrett. “Offices For Rent .” Augusta Chronicle, 19 Jan. 1917.

Lee, Joseph M. Augusta: a Postcard History. Arcadia Publishing, 2000, pp. 20.