Walking by Lexington and 124th Street, we always thought the brightly painted building at the south west corner was a former bank, but it turns out to have been built by some famous pawn brokers. Last year's New York Times article describes the the Provident Loan Society (established in 1894) and how it built many similar, single level, classic revival buildings all over Manhattan. These formal pawn shops evidently collected $7 million a year at the turn of the last century by lending money to the lower classes at "modest rates" in exchange for their valuables. The building at East 124th Street also has a twin up on 127th and FDB, but that one today is in pristine condition since a church has been taking good care of the property. Read more details in the Times article:
LINK. Current photo by Ulysses
Walking by Lexington and 124th Street, we always thought the brightly painted building at the south west corner was a former bank, but it turns out to have been built by some famous pawn brokers. Last year's New York Times article describes the the Provident Loan Society (established in 1894) and how it built many similar, single level, classic revival buildings all over Manhattan. These formal pawn shops evidently collected $7 million a year at the turn of the last century by lending money to the lower classes at "modest rates" in exchange for their valuables. The building at East 124th Street also has a twin up on 127th and FDB, but that one today is in pristine condition since a church has been taking good care of the property. Read more details in the Times article: LINK. Current photo by Ulysses
that colour scheme is just mind blowing. . .
ReplyDeleteAnyone know the story of the derelict building on Madison and 116, North west corner? It, too, looks like it might have been a bank.
The old Public National Bank has an interesting story: http://harlembespoke.blogspot.com/2009/05/protect-colonnade-building.html
ReplyDeleteFascinating. Thanks. Have wondered about that building for years.
ReplyDeleteOne of the best 99c/discount stores
ReplyDeleteGreat photos, what a beautifully proportioned building, completely ruined by that 99c sign. The good news is it would be fairly easy to recover this building, here’s hoping.
ReplyDelete