Harlem Savings Bank
Also known as: Apple Bank for Savings
Why it's listed
Located on the south side of East 125th Street between Park and Lexington Avenues, this granite-clad bank was built in 1906-07 for the Harlem Savings Bank, which was chartered in 1863. Bannister & Schell designed it as a three-story temple front with a central portico of Ionic columns, pediments over the entrance and side windows, and a dentiled entablature. Wakeman & Miller served as general contractors. Inside, a banking hall features Famosa marble wainscoting, pilasters and a marble vault, although a drop ceiling now hides the original skylights. The building was considered significant as a modest-scale example of Classical design, a style widely used for banks to suggest security and stability. It also marks the bank's move to 125th Street as that street became Harlem's principal commercial corridor. The exterior has changed little apart from a shortened stair, a new clock and a new sign. The building has operated continuously as a bank branch for nearly 96 years.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is an architecturally distinguished example of a Classical Revival bank scaled for a local community institution. It also reflects the history of one of Harlem's earliest financial institutions, founded in 1863, and East 125th Street's rise as Harlem's main commercial thoroughfare. The exterior retains a high degree of integrity.
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 03000849, listed August 28, 2003. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 124 E. 125th St., New York |
|---|---|
| County | Manhattan |
| Listed | August 28, 2003 |
| Reference number | 03000849 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1907-1953 |
| Architect / builder | Bannister & Schell, architects; Wakeman & Miller, general contractors |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals/Classical Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Commerce |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still operating as a bank branch (Apple Bank for Savings); the exterior is little altered and the interior has been altered, though much of the marble decoration remains. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.80374, -73.93856 (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 03000849.
- 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.