Bank of Balboa-Bank of America
Also known as: Bank of America
Why it's listed
Built in 1928 on the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach, this two-story poured concrete building was constructed as the headquarters of the Bank of Balboa, the town's first bank. Designed by the Los Angeles-area firm Morgan, Walls & Clements and built by contractor W.H. Bowman, it combines Spanish Colonial Revival design with Classical, Gothic and Moderne details. Features include a 25-foot arched entry with scrollwork, gargoyles and a crest with an eagle, a row of seven tall arched windows on the east side, a red tile gabled roof, colorful tile mosaics and terra cotta medallions depicting Balboa. The bank failed in February 1932 during a run on local banks. Bank of America bought the building and operated there from 1934 through 1984, so residents came to know it by that name. The building was listed for its role in local commerce and development, its architecture, and its largely intact exterior within a district of similar scale.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building was a long-standing instrument of commerce important to the town's development, and that it is a fine example of eclectic period architecture. It was designed by Morgan, Walls & Clements, a prominent Los Angeles-area firm. It also housed the Bank of America from 1934 through 1984.
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 86001903, listed July 24, 1986. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 611 E. Balboa Blvd., Newport Beach |
|---|---|
| County | Orange County |
| Listed | July 24, 1986 |
| Reference number | 86001903 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1928 |
| Architect / builder | W.H. Bowman/Morgan, Walls, Clements |
| Architectural style | Mediterranean/Spanish Colonial Revival |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Form marks the property as commercial use, with work in progress; the exterior is described as retaining exceptional integrity and being in good condition. |
| Acreage | 0.1 |
| Coordinates | 33.60204, -117.90066 (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.
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 86001903.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.