When the Republic NAtional Bank, second largest in Dallas, decided to build new quarters it aimed for superlatives. The result, designed by the New York firm of HArrison & Abramovitz, is a handsome $25 million skyscraper which towers purposefully over the next highest in town - another bank - and stands as the tallest building in Southwest (in 1955 - my annotation). By day the bank's aluminum-paneled walls sparkle in the Texas sun. By night a hugea beacon atop the 36-story structure shines 100 miles across the surrounding prairie.
Insidem Republic National boasts the largest unobstructed banking area in the world (in 1955 - my annotation), a glistening expanse of polished wood and white marble nearly as long as a football field. A graceful looping balcony is appropiately faced with real gold leaf and there are also gold rugs, gold-painted water fountains and gold curtains in the executive washrooms.
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