The old bank at 3rd and Vine, designed by James H. Windrim, has had many different lives. Interestingly, however, this building has only been considered part of Old City in recent times. Technically, it sits on the southern edge of Old Northern Liberties. Vine St used to be the boundary line until the late 19th century. The building’s original name reveals this fact: The National Bank of the Northern Liberties. It opened in 1871 and cost approx. $94,000.00 to build.
In 1916, the bank merged with and became the Bank of North America. A couple of years later, Bank of North America moved out and Monarch Machinery Company took over the bank and 2 adjacent buildings. In 1933, they left after the owner died. From 1933 until 1947, Royal Fixture Company was there, followed by Max Black Manufacturing Company, until the early 1960's. The M.L.C. Sales Company, a shoe wholesaler, was there until the mid 1980's, followed by Urban Engineers, Inc. up to 1999. The United Bank of Philadelphia, one of the very few African-American controlled and managed commercial banks, was there until 2006. In 2006, a local developer bought the property, razed the adjacent buildings and created the Essex Condominiums.
1922 1964 Today
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