Jacksonville Architecture

Like the adjacent Bisbee Building, this bank was originally constructed with the facade half as wide as it is today. Built in 1902 as the Mercantile Exchange Bank, it was purchased three years later by the newly organized Florida Bank & Trust, the forerunner of today's Florida National Bank chain. The new banking firm expanded the building to its present size, retaining the Neo-Classical Revival style. The entire facade is sheathed in marble, including six massive columns also made of marble. In 1916 the interior of the building was completely gutted and redesigned by the New York architecture firm of Mowbray and Uffinger (see D-8 and D-58). A grand banking room was created, complete with a spectacular skylight, coffered ceiling, and classical plaster detailing, at a cost of $135,000. During the 1950's two dropped ceilings that covered the skylight and plaster ornamentation were added. In 1978 the Jacksonville National Bank, then owner of the building, commissioned architect Robert Broward to guide the restoration of the interior to its 1916 splendor. The false ceilings were removed, the skylight was uncovered, and the beautiful plaster detailing was once again revealed. Both the bank and the architect received awards for this dramatic restoration, and "the Marble Bank" became a leading example of the preservation consciousness of the Jacksonville business community. However, in the 1990s, the building fell into disuse, and absentee owners allowed the building to deteriorate again, and the 1978 restoration was totally lost. Considerations are now underway to restore the building again as part of the 3-building complex, "The Laura Street Trio."