Coachella Valley Savings No. 2, Palm Springs

Coachella Valley Savings No. 2, Palm Springs

This building has housed several banks over its history. It has been known as the Coachella Valley Savings and Loan Association, a Washington Mutual, and currently a Chase Bank. The structure is the interesting part. It was built in the 1960s and designed by E. Stewart Williams in the International style. It lacks much ornamentation. It is distinctive, though, with inverted arches that form columns that hold up the flat room. The bank sits in front of a reflecting pool with fountains. The Classical symmetry of the facade is considered to be a nod to New Formalism.

The unique design, besides being beautiful, served two purposes. It provides an immense amount of open floor space inside, without the need for interior columns. It also provided the strength and stability needed to survive seismic events.

The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Besides being updated for an ATM and disabled access, the building is unchanged. It is referred to as Coachella Valley Savings and Loan No. 2 because it was the second branch and the second one designed by Williams. The first was a few blocks north.

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Coachella Valley Savings No. 2 on Map

Sight Name: Coachella Valley Savings No. 2
Sight Location: Palm Springs, USA (See walking tours in Palm Springs)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

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