Main

The Riggs Bank Main Office at 1503 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C., is an excellent example of the vigorous neoclassical architecture typical to the city’s 15^th Street Financial Historic District and the White House precinct.  The building comprises a large Banking Hall, designed by York and Sawyer and completed in 1902.  In 1973, the building was designated a Registered Historic Landmark.

In 1985, we were commissioned by the Riggs National Bank to restore and renovate the grand Banking Hall, All restoration work for the Banking Hall was accomplished through the use of archival photographs and documents, and all new work was conceived to incorporate the most modern banking requirements, while respecting the original construction of the Hall.  The tellers screen was reconstructed by taking castings of existing pieces of ornamental metal work found on the original check desk and entry doors, which were the only remaining elements of the original bronze work. The completed work received Historic Preservation Certification from the National Park Service. Please also refer to the related Main Office Annex – Riggs National Bank project.