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Aside from noting the significance of
the architect that designed the building, the Broad Street Bank was
important in the local history of the city. The original eight story
corner building is responsible for many of Trenton*s firsts
including the:
-
1st Trenton skyscraper
-
1st elevator in the City of Trenton
-
1st city building to be constructed
with a steel superstructure
-
1st public aerial view of Trenton
-
1st modern safety deposit key
mechanism
-
1st bank in the region to have a
Woman's Department
-
1st revolving doors
Prior to the original building's
construction, the downtown area did not rise more the four stories
and no structure was built utilizing steel frame construction. At
the grand opening, trips up the city’s first elevators allowed an
aerial perspective of the growing industrial city that had never
before been seen and Trentonians marveled at the center entry
revolving door. It was since removed to make way for the day’s
storefronts, the revolving door stood as testimony to the ingenuity
of modern buildings. In a city that was the home to Peter Cooper’s
milling innovations which produced the world*s first 7 inch I beams
and the home to the Roebling legacy of steel bridges and cable
technology, Trentonian’s were still amazed to see the bank’s
skeleton rise high above every other. Trenton possessed a wealth of
industry; its world renowned pottery including terra cotta, ceramic
tiles and bricks along with its iron and steel products which
contributed to the wire cable and bridge building synonymous with
the Roebling name, made Trenton New Jersey’s hub of industrial
activity and creativity. Trenton was long known as "The City of Iron
and Clay." The Broad Street Bank Building is a testimony to this
legacy. Its steel structure covered by terra cotta and brickwork is
an example of the synthesis of these two important Trenton
industries.
It is important to note that besides
these contributions, the bank was considered more than a financial
institution. Community rooms and a mezzanine level overlooking the
main banking floor were used for community meetings and were often
the place where private business was conducted. Right from its
opening, the public was invited into the building and as such they
adopted the lobby and mezzanine levels as their formal space to
conduct private business, meet with business associates and friends
and learn about town news. Retail establishments of Trenton's elite
including Thomas Cadwalader's (Register listed Olmsted park named
after Cadwaladar- Cadwalader Park, Trenton) cigar shop as well as
prominent city attorneys and other business all located their
offices at this prestigious address.
On top of acting as the social center
of the city, the bank began programs that encouraged women to enter
the financial realms so long handled solely by men. A separate
section of the bank was dedicated to the Woman*s Department that had
its own tellers and bank personnel. This separation and special care
enables women with families to conduct their business in a timely
manner, made them feel more comfortable with entering into the
business sector and encouraged them to think outside of the box of
their societal home-based role.
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