July Theme Day: Facade

I chose this handsome 1929 Art Deco facade of the Granite Trust Building located in Quincy Center for my July "theme day" post.  This edifice has always served as a bank and a symbol of prosperous times for this city.  Once again it is the beacon of economic hope because the first phase of an ambitious redevelopment project is getting underway right behind it.

You may visit other City Daily Photo Bloggers' interpretations of this month's theme by clicking  HERE.

Thursday is "This Old House Day"

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This residence at 270 Adams Street is very difficult to get a good picture of because of the overgrown trees near the foundation. It is Quincy's best example of high style Italianate architecture, but unfortunately has been neglected for many years. The square Italianate tower, arched windows with various adornments, and the brackets are all features of this period around 1870. The original owners, the Baxter family sold it to the well-known King family. Theophilus King was a well respected banker at the Granite Trust Bank in Quincy Center.

This property looks vacant. I hope someone with deep pockets comes along to save this beauty . . . don't you just love the details on the porch and front doorway?

A Golden Box

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This mailbox is located in the lobby of the Bank of America building you saw a couple days ago. Unfortunately, I can't show you the gorgeous marble interior of the bank with the art deco touches because I was stopped from taking any other pictures there . . . company policy.

Granite Trust Building

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In the year of the stock market crash (1929) this 10-story granite and limestone tower was built in Quincy Center for $400,000. It was built in a modernistic style that evoked a feeling of progress and prosperity in the bank's affairs. I like the simplicity of its vertical lines and the fact that all roads and pedestrian walkways in the Center lead you to this imposing art deco structure. The architectural firm responsible for the design was the well-known J. Williams Beal Sons of Boston with the contractor being L. P. Soule & Son Co. Beal Sons had previously designed the Adams Building, the Bethany Church and other superb buildings designed in various styles. The Bank of Boston is the present banking tenant and there are many unoccupied floors for lease . . . looking for space anyone?

The Friendly Bank

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Of course banks are friendly . . . they make money with your money.
Pictured here is the main entrance of the Granite Trust Building located at 1400 Hancock Street, where I found yesterday's benchmark. The facade of this bank building was made of Quincy granite, quarried from the same hills that furnished the granite for Bunker Hill Monument in Boston. The brass letters on the walk reads: "An old bank with a young spirit". Aren't the revolving doors beautiful? Tomorrow, I will share the entire facade.

Drive up money box

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This bank kiosk is certainly an eye-catching red. I like the contrast with the old fashioned lights close by. This ATM is located down the street from yesterday's post, the lighthouse gas station on the Southern Artery.