flexiblefullpage -
billboard - default
interstitial1 - interstitial
catfish1 - bottom
Currently Reading

Former bank in Alabama becomes modern café

Reconstruction & Renovation

Former bank in Alabama becomes modern café

The building was originally built in 1955.


By David Malone, Associate Editor | March 20, 2018
The old bank compared to the new cafe

A two-story former Regions and First National Bank building is getting a second life as a modern café in Montgomery, Ala. Vintage Hospitality Group owns the building and spearheaded the transformation.

As part of the renovation, the bank building’s terrazzo floors were refurbished and the teller window was transformed into a drive thru. Repurposed safety deposit boxes were used along the front of the counter as an homage to the building’s original function.

Other elements of the bank can be seen in the new café in a bakery display case made from bulletproof glass, a working camera in the height chart by the entrance, the depository box, and the original metal vault gate.

The second floor mezzanine overlooks the entrance and is next to a private room that is available for daytime meeting and parties or receptions and cocktail parties at night. New tables were built out of heart pine from a Fitzpatrick, Ala., barn that was built circa 1875.

Laura Dockery Design was the interior designer and R.F. Pruett Construction was the general contractor.

Related Stories

Multifamily Housing | May 16, 2023

Legislators aim to make office-to-housing conversions easier

Lawmakers around the country are looking for ways to spur conversions of office space to residential use.cSuch projects come with challenges such as inadequate plumbing, not enough exterior-facing windows, and footprints that don’t easily lend themselves to residential use. These conditions raise the cost for developers.

Sustainability | May 11, 2023

Let's build toward a circular economy

Eric Corey Freed, Director of Sustainability, CannonDesign, discusses the values of well-designed, regenerative buildings.

Office Buildings | May 4, 2023

In Southern California, a former industrial zone continues to revitalize with an award-winning office property

In Culver City, Calif., Del Amo Construction, a construction company based in Southern California, has completed the adaptive reuse of 3516 Schaefer St, a new office property. 3516 Schaefer is located in Culver City’s redeveloped Hayden Tract neighborhood, a former industrial zone that has become a technology and corporate hub.

Higher Education | Apr 17, 2023

Rider University opens a 'Zen Den' for restoring students' mental well-being

Rider University partnered with Spiezle Architectural Group to create a relaxation room for students, dubbed "The Zen Den."

Libraries | Mar 26, 2023

An abandoned T.J. Maxx is transformed into a new public library in Cincinnati

What was once an abandoned T.J. Maxx store in a shopping center is now a vibrant, inviting public library. The Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library (CHPL) has transformed the ghost store into the new Deer Park Library, designed by GBBN.

Government Buildings | Mar 24, 2023

19 federal buildings named GSA Design Awards winners

After a six-year hiatus, the U.S. General Services Administration late last year resumed its esteemed GSA Design Awards program. In all, 19 federal building projects nationwide were honored with 2022 GSA Design Awards, eight with Honor Awards and 11 with Citations.

Affordable Housing | Mar 8, 2023

7 affordable housing developments built near historic districts, community ties

While some new multifamily developments strive for modernity, others choose to retain historic aesthetics.

Reconstruction & Renovation | Mar 8, 2023

Hoffmann Architects + Engineers receives Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award from New York Landmarks Conservancy

Hoffmann Architects + Engineers, a design firm specializing in the rehabilitation of building exteriors, announces that the historic facade rehabilitation and window replacement at the 69th Regiment Armory has been selected for the Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award, the New York Landmarks Conservancy’s prestigious recognition for outstanding preservation efforts.

Adaptive Reuse | Mar 5, 2023

Pittsburgh offers funds for office-to-residential conversions

The City of Pittsburgh’s redevelopment agency is accepting applications for funding from developers on projects to convert office buildings into affordable housing. The city’s goals are to improve downtown vitality, make better use of underutilized and vacant commercial office space, and alleviate a housing shortage. 

Affordable Housing | Mar 2, 2023

These 9 novel housing communities offer support beyond affordability

Here are nine specialized multifamily developments designed to assist their tenants’ needs.

boombox1 - default
boombox2 -
native1 -

More In Category




halfpage1 -

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021