Bankgebouw, Herengracht 216

English translation

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Description

Introduction

A BANK BUILDING with CARETAKER'S DWELLING created in 1917-1918, designed on behalf of Pierson & Co. by the architectural office Gebr. van Gendt A.L. zn. in a historicising style in the manner of 17th-century classicism; attic in 18th-century style. Figure groups on the attic, as well as other sculptural work by the hand of the sculptor Johan Schreuder who died in 1928. The reinforced concrete works were executed by the 'Hollandsche Maatschappij tot het maken van werken in Gewapend Beton'. On the ground floor the spaces were grouped around the central vault. Around this vault ran a control corridor. On the piano nobile were located the principal offices, the department concerning securities and several executive rooms. On the upper floor was a light court with lantern, and here too spaces for the executive.

Description

A bank building designed on a rectangular ground plan around a light court with three storeys under a hipped roof covered with blue slates in Maasdecking. On the ridges of the hips, rafters and gable ends a zinc covering has been placed. On the corners of the ridge each a masoned chimney placed as a saddle iron. These chimneys have several encircling bands and a moulded natural stone moulding. Further a roof covering plate resting on four posts with small angled tent roof with ornamental finial. On the Herengracht side three small roof dormers. Wooden pilasters on either side of a single window with four-pane casement window. Cornice and segmental pediment.

Seven-bay wide slightly projecting front facade predominantly masoned in running bond of reddish-brown handformed brick; base of grey Bavarian granite; Obernkirchner sandstone for basement, capital, moulding and garlands.

At ground floor level the facade shows a plinth with moulded moulding. Further on either side two slightly recessed arched entrances. In these fine ornamental ironwork gates behind which the actual entrance door. In the middle three recessed window openings with grillwork. Above the natural stone string course the pilaster facade. Masoned pilasters in colossal order with natural stone base and Ionic capital. On the principal floor seven eight-pane sash windows with masoned straight saddle iron. On the further floor seven six-pane sash windows with masoned straight saddle iron. Between the windows of these floors a total of seven garlands. Above the capitals a natural stone architrave which accentuates the projection. Architrave with narrow decorative moulding. Above it the simple masoned frieze. Cornice with dentil moulding, egg-and-dart moulding and further decorative and moulded details. Attic with both on the left and on the right side a section built solid. Here in the midst of projection and cantilevered posts with set-up natural stone urn, the year marking on banderol (Anno MCMXVIII) and the initials P & Co. (Pierson & Co.). On this masoned parapet on the left the figure group representing Mercury and Neptune. Between them a shield with bird. On the masoned parapet on the right side the female personifications of culture and history. Between them a shield with lion. Between both sections a balustrade with masoned posts with natural stone decorative element as crowning.

Before the bank building a hardstone step with eight bollards connected to each other or to the bank building by means of chains.

Valuation

Bank building of general significance due to architectural and cultural historical value, whereby the aim was integration into the historical townscape of the canal-side facade by means of a historicising front facade with colossal order. Front facade well preserved.