Central National Bank
Also known as: Cnb
Why it's listed
Rising twenty-four stories at the corner of Broad and Third Streets in Richmond, this brick and limestone-faced steel-frame tower was built in 1929-30 as the home of Central National Bank. Designed by New York architect John Eberson with the Richmond firm Carneal, Johnston, and Wright, it is an Art Deco skyscraper with a two-story arched entrance, carved low-relief ornament, and bands of molded and patterned brick. A smaller limestone-faced building alongside, originally the Broad-Grace Arcade of shops, was designed by the same architect and later absorbed into the bank. Inside, the commercial banking hall has a coffered ceiling, terrazzo floor, and cast bronze lamps, while the elevator lobby features bronze and etched glass. The bank was founded in 1911 by Broad Street merchants who wanted a financial institution serving the retail district. Construction continued through the Depression, and a recent restoration kept the building's original character, making it a landmark of Richmond's pre-Depression business prosperity.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it an outstanding example of an Art Deco skyscraper as interpreted in the South, designed by New York architect John Eberson. It is also tied to Richmond merchants who founded the bank in 1911 to serve the Broad Street retail district. A recent renovation preserved its original architectural character.
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 79003290, listed September 20, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 3rd and Broad Sts., Richmond (Independent City) |
|---|---|
| County | Richmond (city and county) |
| Listed | September 20, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79003290 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1928-30 |
| Architect / builder | John Eberson (architect), with Richmond firm Carneal, Johnston, and Wright; Doyle and Russell (contractors) |
| Architectural style | Art Deco |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied and used as a bank; the interior is described as in an excellent state of preservation after a recent restoration. Former arcade shops have been converted to banking space. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Grace Street Commercial Historic District (Boundary Increase) |
| Coordinates | 37.54382, -77.43984 (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 79003290.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5061482
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.