Wikipedia

Bank Block Building

Bank Block Building
The Bank Block Building in 2014
Bank Block Building is located in Ohio
Bank Block Building
Bank Block Building is located in the United States
Bank Block Building
Location1255-1293 Grandview Ave, Grandview Heights, Ohio, U.S.
Coordinates39°59′00″N 83°02′42″W / 39.9832°N 83.0450°W / 39.9832; -83.0450
Built1927
ArchitectDon Monroe Casto Sr.
Architectural styleColonial Revival
NRHP reference No.97000510
Added to NRHPSeptember 15, 1997

The Bank Block Building is a historic business and shopping center located in Grandview Heights, Ohio. Originally constructed in 1927, it was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on September 15, 1997.[1] It is one of the oldest regional shopping centers still standing in the United States.[2]

The building incorporates Colonial Revival architecture.[1] It was noteworthy for containing 350 free parking spaces, which was rare at the time.[3] It is known as the Bank Block Building because its original main anchor tenant was First Citizens Trust, later renamed to the Ohio National Bank.[4] An Ohio Historical Marker was unveiled at the property on June 14, 2001.[4]

History

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The current Bank Block Building was built in 1927 and designed by Don Monroe Casto Sr., a local retail developer.[5][4] It opened in 1928 and featured actors from the Our Gang film series.[4] After Casto sold the property in 1932 and a transfer of ownership later occurred to Cadiz Methodist Church. By the 1970s, it had fell into disrepair and was facing the risk of demolition.[6] Thomas Wagenbrenner, along with his brothers, purchased and renovated the building in 1976, saving it from demolition.[4][7]

References

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  1. ^ a b "NPGallery Asset Detail". National Park Service. Retrieved 2025-09-06.
  2. ^ "The Bank Block Historical Marker". The Historical Marker Database. Retrieved 2025-09-06.
  3. ^ "Remarkable Ohio - Bank Block". The Ohio Channel. 2012-05-31. Retrieved 2025-09-06.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Bank Block --- GH/MCHS". Grandview Heights / Marble Cliff Historical Society. Retrieved 2025-09-06.
  5. ^ "Initial Information | Planning | First and Grandview District Plan | Growing Together". City of Grandview Heights, Ohio. Retrieved 2025-09-06.
  6. ^ "Moment in time". The Columbus Dispatch. 2018-03-19. Retrieved 2025-09-06.
  7. ^ Froman, Alan (2018-03-12). "Bank Block owes its resurgence to Wagenbrenner". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 2025-09-06.