Security Bank and Trust Company Building
Also known as: Key System Building
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Why it's listed
Rising seven stories at the northeast corner of 11th Street and Broadway in downtown Oakland, this yellow brick and terra cotta office building was completed in 1911-1912 for the Security Bank and Trust Company. Frederick H. Meyer and Walter D. Reed designed it in Renaissance Revival style, using a U-shaped plan around a light well that Meyer had employed in earlier San Francisco office buildings. A two-story annex was added on the north in 1924. Its ornate terra cotta spandrels, friezes and cornice are the most admired features. Bank of Italy used it as its main Oakland office from 1917 to 1929, and the Key Route System Transit Company, which ran Oakland's streetcars and buses, acquired it in 1943 for executive offices. The building was recognized for this link to Oakland's commercial growth and for the quality of its design. At the time of the nomination it stood long vacant while being rehabilitated as offices, retaining original oak woodwork, marble and terrazzo floors.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is significant for its close association with early corporate firms, including the Security Bank, Bank of Italy and the Key System transit company, which gave it a leading role in Oakland's 20th-century development. It is also noted for its high-quality Renaissance Revival and Baroque design and spectacular terra cotta detailing, ranking it among downtown Oakland's most distinguished early office buildings.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 82002166, listed July 26, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1000 Broadway, Oakland |
|---|---|
| County | Alameda County |
| Listed | July 26, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82002166 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- |
| Architect / builder | Frederick Meyer and Walter Reed |
| Architectural style | Renaissance Revival, with Baroque elements |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Long vacant and undergoing interior rehabilitation for commercial office space, its original use. |
| Acreage | 0.2 |
| Within district | Downtown Oakland Historic District |
| Coordinates | 37.80236, -122.27194 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 82002166.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q123232197
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.