Kings County Savings Bank
Also known as: United Mutual Savings Bank
Why it's listed
Built in 1868 at the corner of Broadway and Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn's Williamsburgh section, this four-story bank was designed by the New York firm of King & Wilcox in the Second Empire style. Its tan Dorchester stone walls are banded with string courses, and the ground floor alternates smooth and vermiculated stone. A pedimented portico with banded columns and a carved tympanum marks the entrance, and a fish-scale slate mansard roof carries large pedimented dormers. Inside, the main banking room keeps its original mahogany tellers' cages, recessed panelled ceiling and frosted-glass chandeliers, converted from gas to electricity. The building cost $100,000 and housed an institution chartered in 1860, later merged into United Mutual Savings Bank. It was recognized as an outstanding Second Empire work whose heavy stonework conveys permanence and dependability, and it reflects the prosperity of banking after the Civil War. It continues to serve as a bank.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it an outstanding example of Second Empire architecture, with abundant ornament and varied architectural elements. Its rusticated stone and emphasis on horizontality express solidity and permanence suited to a bank. It also reflects the prosperity of post-Civil War banking. The interior retains its original mahogany tellers' cages and chandeliers.
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 80002632, listed April 16, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 135 Broadway, New York |
|---|---|
| County | Brooklyn |
| Listed | April 16, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80002632 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1868 |
| Architect / builder | King & Wilcox |
| Architectural style | Second Empire |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as a bank; the original mahogany tellers' cages are intact and used today. Form marks it occupied, unaltered, and in good condition. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.71038, -73.96385 (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 80002632.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6412893
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.