Kings County Savings Bank
Kings County Savings Bank is a former bank building at 135 Broadway in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn in New York City. It is an example of French Second Empire-style architecture. Construction of the building began in 1860, to designs of William H. Willcox of Brooklyn, in partnership with prominent New York architect Gamaliel King, working as King & Willcox. The structure was continuously occupied by banks until the 1990s. The Williamsburg Art & Historical Center has operated the building since 1996. The building became a New York City designated landmark in 1966 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Architecture The Kings County Savings Bank building was built between 1860 and 1867. It is on the outside dimension and is constructed of Dorchester sandstone. It has three main floors, each a single large room. On the first and second floors, the main rooms contain six tall Corinthian columns, formed of cast iron, while the third floor is entirely open. The first floor retains its massive gas chandeliers and ornately carved woodwork. Although the designer of the bank, King's partner William H. Willcox, is relatively unknown, the building is a superb example of the French