The Lenore-Baltimore, MD
Posted by: 
Don.Morfe
N 39° 17.476 W 076° 36.755
18S E 360934 N 4350339
The Lenore-Baltimore Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond-Rising ten stories in the heart of the city’s judiciary district, the Lenore not only exhibits impressive architecture but is also linked to the nation’s banking history.
Waymark Code: WM11JH9
Location: Maryland, United States
Date Posted: 11/01/2019
Views: 4
The Lenore-Baltimore Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond-Rising ten stories in the heart of the city’s judiciary district, the Lenore not only exhibits impressive architecture but is also linked to the nation’s banking history. Now an apartment building, the Lenore was once home to the Baltimore Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.
The building’s design was inspired by an Italian Renaissance palazzo, a unique architectural style in Baltimore. Granite, limestone carvings, and arched windows grace the exterior of the first floor and are evocative of the Second Renaissance Revival style popular in the early 1900s. The exterior also reflects an attention to security, also common in bank architecture.
The interior possesses a grandeur, magnificence of scale, and rich detailing, including marble floors, richly detailed bronze work, and a coffered ceiling.
Below the opulent banking hall lies two large vaults and various compartments where money was stored and worn currency was destroyed. A tunnel, since blocked off, secretly connected the bank with the city’s post office across the street.
The Baltimore architectural firm Parker, Thomas, and Rice designed the 1926 structure, which originally rose to six stories. In 1956, the building was expanded; the top two stories were removed and an additional six stories were added. The distinctive top stories are simpler and modernistic. While harmonizing with the first floor, the austerity in design of the top floors provides an interesting juxtaposition in architectural styles.
After Baltimore’s Federal Reserve branch moved to new space near Camden Yards, the building served as a consumer and commercial bank. In 2014, the former bank was converted into an apartment building with 102 units.
Baltimore City Landmark (Designated 1986), National Register of Historic Places (Listed 1983), Baltimore National Heritage Area.
Group that erected the marker: Klein Enterprises, Sponsor, Catherine E. Pugh, Mayor.
Address of where the marker is located. Approximate if necessary:
114 E. Lexington Street
Baltimore, MD USA
21202
URL of a web site with more information about the history mentioned on the sign: Not listed
|
Visit Instructions:
Take a picture of the marker, preferably including yourself or your GPSr in the photo. A very detailed description of your visit may be substituted for a photo. In any case please provide a description of your visit. A description of only "Visited" or "Saw it while on vacation" by anyone other than the person creating the waymark may be deleted by the waymark owner or the category officers.