Central Savings Bank

This historic building east of Broadway and north of W. 73rd Street was built from 1927 to 1928 for the Central Savings Bank and is now home to Apple Bank and apartments on the upper floors. The interior of the rusticated limestone block building is especially significant for the main banking hall's elaborate decoration and soaring ceiling 65 feet tall, lit by tall arched windows. The Italian Neo-Renaissance style Central Savings Bank was listed in the New York and National Registers of Historic Places in 1983. The building's interior is a New York City landmark. The upper four stories, originally rented out as office space, were converted into apartments in 2006.

Central Savings Bank began in 1859 as German Savings Bank with its headquarters in the Cooper Union Building. The bank moved to 14th Street and 4th Avenue in 1864 and occupied a new bank building there in 1872. During World War I, while we were at war with Germany, the bank changed its name to Central Savings Bank. They presented the request for name change at a special session of the New York Supreme Court in June 1918. In 1981 Central Savings Bank merged with the Harlem Bank for Savings; the bank was renamed the Apple Bank for Savings in 1983.

Central Savings Bank hired architects Edward York and Philip Sawyer to design a new branch in the Upper West Side. The pair had been partners since 1898 and had recently designed New York City's new Federal Reserve Bank at Liberty and Nassau Streets and the Bowery Savings Bank at 110 E. 42nd Street. The new bank building in the Upper West Side was designed for a trapezoidal lot next to Verdi Square; the main facade faces south onto W. 73rd Street and the square beyond. The six-story building was designed to resemble an Italian Renaissance palazzo. The main entrance door is topped with a pair of stone lions between a clock, guarding the bank. The door surround is carved with the words "Central Savings Bank, Chartered MDCCCLIX." Other design elements are cartouches with the heads of classical figures and shields with the caduceus (two snakes curled around a staff) motif. Wrought iron was used heavily inside and out to create lanterns, doors, gates, grilles, and mailboxes; master craftsman Samuel Yellin was behind the ironworking.

Upon entering the bank, the main banking hall is vaulted with a 65-foot tall coffered ceiling. The ceiling is based on that of the Davanzati Palace in Florence, Italy. The intricate multi-colored marble flooring in the banking hall is original. The banking offices are located in the mezzanine level, with wood-paneled meeting rooms featuring fireplaces, beamed ceilings, and elaborate faux wall painting. The upper four floors of the building, with office space for renting out, were simpler but had hallways wainscoated in marble.

While the interior of the bank has been well preserved and still is used as a bank, the former rental offices were converted into 29 condominium apartments in 2006. The condo entrance is at 2112 Broadway, near 74th Street. The two-to-four bed units - some duplex with rooftop terraces - range from 1,200 to 3,800 square feet and have sold in recent years for about $4 to $6 million.

Anonymous. Central Savings Bank, now Apple Ban[k], StreetEasy. September 1st 2021. Accessed September 24th 2021. https://streeteasy.com/building/central-savings-bank-now-apple-ban#tab_building_detail=2.

Cillis, H.. "Change of Name. Notice." New-York Tribune (New York, NY) May 31st 1918. 10-10.

Gray, Christopher. "73rd and Broadway; At a Landmark Bank Building, Change is in the Air." New York Times (New York, NY) April 17th 2005.

Neubauer, Sam. The Historic Central Savings Bank, I love the Upper West Side. September 9th 2021. Accessed September 24th 2021. https://ilovetheupperwestside.com/the-historic-central-savings-bank/.

Santoro, Lisa. The Solidity and Stature of NYC's Central Savings Bank, Curbed New York. August 21st 2013. Accessed September 24th 2021. https://ny.curbed.com/2013/8/21/10206486/the-solidity-and-stature-of-nycs-central-savings-bank.

Savage, Charles. Central Savings Bank, 2100-2114 Broadway, N.Y., N.Y., report on Dec. 21, 1993 NYCLPC meeting. New York, NY. New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, 1993.