From ‘Beaux’ to Banal on Myrtle Avenue
What’s this magnificent building, you ask? Surely it’s a museum or a bank or some equally important building. Sorry, but no. Originally the Ridgewood National Bank, then the Hanover National Bank, the Beaux-Arts structure on Myrtle was taken over by Rite Aid.
Of course, Rite Aid is to be commended for preserving and reusing this amazing building when they could have torn it down and put up a concrete box. Nobody is saying all buildings should be preserved at all costs, or that it’s bad to have drug stores, but there’s something disappointing about such an attractive old edifice being used as a place to get corn removers and condoms.
March 25th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Actually, this bank was the “Hanover National Bank” for many years from at least the 50’s until when it closed around the late 90’s.
I agree, to Rite Aid’s credit they did preserve the building, it is just about completely intact inside, and even the vault door is there! A visit inside is strongly recommended, you won’t be disappointed.
I remember going into this bank as a small kid in the 70’s, and it was a very dark and dreary bank. I think unfortunately Rite Aid did paint the walls a lighter color inside, as the original marble was very dark. Other than than that, even the original clocks remain.
March 26th, 2008 at 12:21 am
I stand corrected, thanks!
March 26th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Check out the Ridgewood Saving Bank down Myrtle for an intact and functioning example of this type of architecture.
March 26th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Yes, the Ridgewood Savings Bank is a beautiful building, both inside and out. It’s on the corner where Myrtle, George St, and Forest Ave all meet. It always was a little more ornate inside than the old Hanover Savings Bank, although both are very similar in architecture.
Jeremy, I believe this bank that is now Rite Aid was in fact the “Ridgewood National Bank” when it was built, I don’t know when it became the Hanover Savings Bank, but I believe it was before the 50’s. I only know it as the Hanover Bank as a kid in the 70’s.
March 27th, 2008 at 8:52 am
On one hand, I think Rite Aid deserves high commendations for saving the building. It’s a beautiful old bank building, and merits preservation.
In terms of the interior space, they’ve done an admirable job. They’ve basically preserved as much of the character as they can without interfering too much with their business plan.
My issue is with the giant honking “Rite Aid” sign on the front of the building; it doesn’t fit, and it ruins any aspirations of appreciating the building for all its past glory. They could have been creative and come up with something which either didn’t clash with the original architecture (difficult), or perhaps something not directly attached - eg, a freestanding signpost. They could have done much worse, of course, but I think a little more care to the original facade would have been in order.
March 27th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Still, that sign can be removed easily enough if Rite Aid vacants the premises in the future.
This bank certainly fared better than the old Oasis theater, which was also converted into a chain drugstore.