Dollar Savings Bank
Why it's listed
Standing on a trapezoidal corner lot where Third Avenue, East 147th Street and Willis Avenue meet, this limestone building was constructed in 1919 as headquarters of Dollar Savings Bank, with an attic story added in 1926. Renwick, Aspinwall & Tucker designed it in the Classical Revival style, using fluted Ionic pilasters, round-arched windows, pedimented entrances, and eagle and laurel wreath panels. The bank was founded in 1887, was the first thrift institution organized in the Bronx, and by 1926 was the borough's largest bank. It served as headquarters until about 1950. Since 1974 the former banking hall has served as a church sanctuary, yet it keeps its marble wainscot, bronze grillwork, coffered plaster ceiling, Corinthian pilasters and original bank vault. The building is recognized for its architecture and for its role in the commercial development of the Bronx.
Significance in brief: It is locally significant as an architecturally distinguished Classical Revival bank designed by Renwick, Aspinwall & Tucker. It also reflects the commercial history of Dollar Savings Bank, the first thrift institution organized in the Bronx and at one point the borough's largest bank. The exterior is virtually unchanged and the banking hall interior 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 100010987, listed November 18, 2024. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 2516-2530 Grand Concourse, Bronx |
|---|---|
| County | The Bronx |
| Listed | November 18, 2024 |
| Reference number | 100010987 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1919-1950 |
| Architect / builder | Renwick, Aspinwall & Tucker |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Houses the Bronx Temple Seventh Day Adventist Church, which has occupied the building since 1974; the exterior is largely unchanged and the interior retains its historic plan and finishes. |
| Acreage | 0.45 |
| Coordinates | 40.86311, -73.89605 (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 100010987.
- 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.