185 Montague Street

Commercial building in Brooklyn, New York June 2024 185 Montague Street National Title Guaranty Company Building Brooklyn Heights May 2023 07.jpg 250 Art Deco Front of the building (2023) 185–187 Montague Street Brooklyn, New York United States yes 40.69433 -73.99181 dms type:landmark inline,title 1929 April 3, 1930 16 Harvey Wiley Corbett and Wallace Harrison William Kennedy Construction Company yes NYCL 2587 January 24, 2017Landmarks Preservation Commission 2017 . 1 Designated entity Exterior 185 Montague Street, also known as the National Title Guaranty Company Building, is a commercial building in the Brooklyn Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn in New York City, New York. Constructed for the National Title Guaranty Company between 1929 and 1930, the 16-story building was designed by Harvey Wiley Corbett and Wallace Harrison in the Art Deco style. 185 Montague Street was built by the William Kennedy Construction Company as part of "Bank Row", a series of bank buildings on Montague Street within Brooklyn Heights. The building's facade is made of brick and limestone. The first two stories are decorated with a limestone screen with panels designed by Rene Paul Chambellan, as well as a pair of asymmetrical openings. The upper stories contain brick piers, which divide the facade vertically, and ornamental brick spandrel panels, which separate the windows on different stories. with setbacks above the 12th story to comply with the 1916 Zoning Resolution. The ground story and basement originally contained a modern-style bank branch with decorations such as terrazzo floors and a colorful ceiling. The National Title Guaranty Company and its subsidiaries occupied the lowest five stories and the basement, while the upper stories were rented out. The National Title Guaranty Company was established at 172–174 Montague Street in 1924 and expanded significantly over the next three years, with offices across Long Island. To accommodate its growing size, National Title Guaranty bought the sites at 185 and 187 Montague Street in early 1929. National Title Guaranty had moved its offices to the building by November 1929, and 185 Montague Street officially opened on April 3, 1930. Although the building was fully occupied from its opening, the National Title Guaranty Company was liquidated in 1935. The bank branch on the lower stories was subsequently occupied by several other banks, and the building's owners unsuccessfully proposed demolishing the upper stories in the 1940s. The banking space had become a Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurant by the 21st century, and the building became a New York City designated landmark in 2017. Site The National Title Guaranty Company Building is located at 185 Montague Street in the Brooklyn Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn in New York City, New York.599 It occupies a narrow land lot near the western end of the block bounded by Court Street to the east, Montague Street to the south, Clinton Street to the west, and Pierrepont Street to the north.185 Montague Street, 11201 https://zola.planning.nyc.gov/l/lot/3/244/13 January 1, 2021 New York City Department of City Planning June 1, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230601143754/https://zola.planning.nyc.gov/l/lot/3/244/13 live The rectangular site covers an area of 5000 ft2, with a frontage of 50 ft and a depth of 200 ft. The building adjoins the Brooklyn Trust Company Building and the People's Trust Company Building to the west, which have different architectural styles.http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/1905.pdf Brooklyn Trust Company Building June 25, 1996 New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission 5 June 19, 2024 June 19, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240619150243/http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/1905.pdf live Other nearby buildings include the Montague–Court Building at the eastern end of the block; the Center for Brooklyn History building and the St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church, just across Clinton Street to the west; and the Crescent Athletic Club House of Saint Ann's School, to the northwest across Clinton and Pierrepont Streets. An entrance to the New York City Subway's Borough Hall/Court Street station is across Clinton Street to the west. The site was historically owned by Hezekiah Pierrepont, one of Brooklyn Heights' developers; Pierrepont Street was named for him, while Montague Street was named for his relative Lady Mary Wortley Montagu.Landmarks Preservation Commission 2017 . 3 During the 1860s and early 1870s, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Brooklyn Mercantile Library, and Brooklyn Art Association all had developed buildings on the adjoining block of Montague Street, which ran between Clinton and Court Streets. An increasing number of businesses were moving to the area by the 1890s, and the adjacent block of Montague Street was nicknamed "Bank Row" after several bank buildings were built there in the 1900s. Among the banks in the area were the Brooklyn Trust Company, which moved to the corner of Montague and Clinton Street in 1873, as well as the People's Trust Company and the National Title Guaranty Company.Landmarks Preservation Commission 2017 . 4 After World War I, developers began constructing skyscrapers, rather than low-rise buildings, in Downtown Brooklyn. Just prior to the construction of the National Guaranty Trust Building, the site at 185 Montague Street was occupied by the National City Bank of New York, which also occupied the neighboring People's Trust Company Building.February 9, 1929 12-Story Office Building Planned for Brooklyn 27 New York Herald Tribune 1941-0646 1111715082 The site at 187 Montague Street contained the Chauncey Real Estate Building, which was acquired by Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce president Ralph Jonas in early 1926.June 3, 1941 Brooklyn Projects Include Two Flats; Plans Are Filed for Big Houses in Flatbush and Near Plaza en-US The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1941/06/03/archives/brooklyn-projects-include-two-flats-plans-are-filed-for-big-houses.html June 2, 2023 0362-4331 June 2, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230602164501/https://www.nytimes.com/1941/06/03/archives/brooklyn-projects-include-two-flats-plans-are-filed-for-big-houses.html live March 7, 1926 411 Hotels Were Built Last Year in the South B11 The New York Herald, New York Tribune 1941-0646 1112741848 The latter site, occupied by the Chauncey Real Estate Company until February 1929,February 1, 1929 Chauncey Co. Moves From Montague St. 8 Times Union https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-chauncey-co-moves-from-mont/125736386/ June 2, 2023 June 2, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230602173806/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-chauncey-co-moves-from-mont/125736386/ live was originally supposed to be part of a large office building for the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. Architecture The National Title Guaranty Building was designed by Harvey Wiley Corbett and Wallace Harrison in the Art Deco style and completed in 1930.Landmarks Preservation Commission 2017 . 2 Corbett and Harrison have variously been cited as working for the firm Helmle, Corbett & Harrison,March 24, 1929 To Be Built in Montague Street 43 The Brooklyn Daily Eagle https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-to-be-built-in/125708793/ June 2, 2023 June 2, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230602173821/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-to-be-built-in/125708793/ live https://books.google.com/books?id=-eA3AQAAMAAJ Brooklyn, Pierrepont Street Office Development: Environmental Impact Statement United States Department of Housing and Urban Development 1985 2.85 en May 30, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230530195535/https://books.google.com/books?id=-eA3AQAAMAAJ live or Corbett, Harrison & MacMurray.Landmarks Preservation Commission 2017 . 7November 17, 1929 Newest Downtown Skyscraper 46 The Brooklyn Daily Eagle https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-newest-downtown/125737197/ June 2, 2023 June 2, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230602173752/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-newest-downtown/125737197/ live The lower stories contain stonework panels designed by Rene Chambellan.March 30, 1930 One of Country's Modern Designed Buildings in Kings: This Claim Is Made for National Title Guaranty Co. Building in Montague St. E2 New York Herald Tribune 1941-0646 1113165845Robins 2017 214 . The building is 16 stories tall and contains numerous setbacks to comply with the 1916 Zoning Resolution. The setbacks on the facade, starting above the 12th story, taper to a temple-like "tower" and were originally illuminated at night. Facade thumb|The limestone screen on the lower stories as seen in 2023 The main elevation of the facade on Montague Street is divided vertically into seven bays by brick piers. The first two stories are decorated with a limestone screen, separated by limestone buttresses from which the brick piers rise. The limestone screen contains seven panels (one in each bay), each of which has various motifs such as rosettes, hammers, warriors, eagles, and octagrams. There is a stepped block above each panel, which initially held a floodlight when the building opened. At ground level is a pair of recessed openings; the opening to the left is a storefront with a marquee and is larger than that to the right. The main building's entrance is in the easternmost two bays and was initially topped by a spandrel panel with the name "National Title Guaranty Company". The main entrance originally contained a set of wrought iron doors and was flanked by a pair of nondescript stone doors. The entrance was redesigned with a marble frame before the 1970s, and a flagpole was placed atop the frame.Robins 2017 215 . At ground level, there are also panels at the far western and eastern ends of the facade. There was formerly a pair of 14 ft m -tall mid torchères made of bronze and black granite, which were placed behind the screen.Clute E. https://books.google.com/books?id=sPvmAAAAMAAJ The Metal Arts: A Journal for Architects, Decorators, And Craftsmen in Metal J. Kreiger. 1930 69 v. 3 June 7, 2023 June 3, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230603201929/https://books.google.com/books?id=sPvmAAAAMAAJ live Above the base, the Montague Street elevation is clad with buff brick. The windows were originally three-over-three sash windows, most of which have since been replaced with simpler one-over-one windows. Within each bay, there are brick spandrel panels between the windows on different floors. The bricks in each spandrel panel are arranged in a checkerboard pattern, with alternating bricks protruding and recessed from the facade; the center of each spandrel contains a "stack bond", a vertical strip of protruding bricks. On the lower floors of the base, the bays are separated by stepped buttresses. The spandrel panels rise above the parapets at each of the setbacks, which give the appearance of crenellation. Above the base, the north, west, and east elevations contain piers, windows, and spandrel panels in a similar style as the Montague Street elevation, as well as railings at the setbacks. Many original three-over-three windows have been replaced, and the brick has been patched up at certain points, although the "tower" on the top stories largely retains its original design elements.Landmarks Preservation Commission 2017 . 2–3 The west elevation is asymmetrical and "U"-shaped, with a light court dividing it into two sections; the spandrels on the southern section of the west elevation also have raised brick bands. There is a rooftop bulkhead and some vents on the west elevation as well. The north elevation has few windows, except at the "tower" where there are windows with decorative spandrels. There is also a metal chimney, ventilation louvers, and some pipes on the roof of the north elevation.Landmarks Preservation Commission 2017 . 3 The northeastern and southeastern corners of the building also contain some setbacks. The southern section of the east elevation is divided into two bays; the northern section of that elevation has one bay; and the center section has no windows. Interior When 185 Montague Street opened, the National Title Guaranty Company and its subsidiaries occupied the lowest five stories and the basement.April 2, 1930 New Bank Will Cater to All Business Lines 19 The Brooklyn Daily Eagle https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-new-bank-will-c/125742629/ June 2, 2023 June 2, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230602190011/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-new-bank-will-c/125742629/ live The building's main entrance originally led to a vestibule decorated with nickel and Belgian black marble.April 2, 1930 Stage All Set for Opening of New Boro Bank 8 The Brooklyn Citizen https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-stage-all-set-for-o/125744183/ June 2, 2023 June 2, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230602201356/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-stage-all-set-for-o/125744183/ live The vestibule's black marble ceiling, which the architects claimed was the first of its kind in the United States, was intended to make the vestibule appear taller. On the ground floor and basement was a branch for the National Exchange Bank and Trust Company,March 30, 1930 New Bank to Serve Brooklyn Heights; Will Open This Week in Twelve-Story Title Guaranty Building en-US The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1930/03/30/archives/new-bank-to-serve-brooklyn-heights-will-open-this-week-in.html June 2, 2023 0362-4331 March 24, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220324183953/https://www.nytimes.com/1930/03/30/archives/new-bank-to-serve-brooklyn-heights-will-open-this-week-in.html live which was designed in the modern style. The floor of the bank branch was made of terrazzo tiles laid in geometric patterns, while the ceiling contained colorful motifs representing industry and commerce. Officers' desks were arranged around the front and sides of the bank branch. The bank tellers' counters, at the rear of the ground story, had marble counters instead of bank tellers' grilles. Above the tellers' counters, a marble stairway led up to a mezzanine level, which had bank executives' offices. In the basement was a bank vault. History Manasseh Miller established the National Title Guaranty Company in February 1924, with himself as president and Michael Furst as vice president;February 20, 1924 Plan New Title Company With Capital of $500,000 1 The Standard Union https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-plan-new-title-compan/125733669/ June 2, 2023 June 2, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230602174021/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-plan-new-title-compan/125733669/ live it was the first insurance company founded in Brooklyn since 1906.May 3, 1924 The National Title Guaranty Co. 22 Brooklyn Life https://www.newspapers.com/article/brooklyn-life-the-national-title-guarant/125732755/ June 2, 2023 June 2, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230602155859/https://www.newspapers.com/article/brooklyn-life-the-national-title-guarant/125732755/ live April 28, 1924 New Title Co. Open in Boro Tomorrow 21 The Brooklyn Daily Eagle https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-new-title-co-o/125734052/ June 2, 2023 June 2, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230602164503/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-new-title-co-o/125734052/ live The company opened its first office on April 29, 1924, at 174 Montague Street,Landmarks Preservation Commission 2017 . 5April 29, 1924 New Title Co. Opens Doors for Business 11 The Standard Union https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-new-title-co-opens-d/125733174/ June 2, 2023 June 2, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230602155857/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-new-title-co-opens-d/125733174/ live the former home of the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences. Initially, the company had a capitalization of $500,000. National Title Guaranty planned to occupy 174 Montague Street for a short time, as it wished to erect a larger building,April 27, 1924 Brooklyn Gets New Title Co. 15 Times Union https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-brooklyn-gets-new-title-co/125733538/ June 2, 2023 June 2, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230602155859/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-brooklyn-gets-new-title-co/125733538/ live although the company only acquired its headquarters in May 1925 for $250,000.January 25, 1929 Sell Old Site 31 The Standard Union https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-sell-old-site/125736657/ June 2, 2023 June 2, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230602173813/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-sell-old-site/125736657/ live January 23, 1929 Skyscraper Plan Seen in Sale of Title Building 1 The Brooklyn Daily Eagle https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-skyscraper-plan/125736118/ June 2, 2023 June 2, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230602173750/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-skyscraper-plan/125736118/ live Within three years, the company had opened a branch in Jamaica, Queens, and was doing business in Queens and in Suffolk County, New York. National Title Guaranty's capitalization had been increased to $2.5 million by the time it opened a permanent ten-story branch in Jamaica in mid-1928.June 28, 1928 Nat'l Title Home in Jamaica Open 12 Times Union https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-natl-title-home-in-jamaica/125735495/ June 2, 2023 June 2, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230602165621/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-natl-title-home-in-jamaica/125735495/ live Development and opening With the growth of the National Title Guaranty Company, its old headquarters at 172–174 Montague Street was no longer sufficient to house all of the company's departments. The company was also reluctant to relocate from Montague Street, as the location, with its many banks, was good for its business.July 24, 1929 Clearing of Site for Jonas Hotel to Start in Fall 17 The Brooklyn Daily Eagle https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-clearing-of-sit/125737034/ June 2, 2023 June 2, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230602173816/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-clearing-of-sit/125737034/ live National Title Guaranty sold 172–174 Montague Street to Ralph Jonas in January 1929 for approximately $850,000.January 25, 1929 Sell Old Site 31 The Standard Union https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-sell-old-site/125736657/ June 2, 2023 June 2, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230602173813/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-sell-old-site/125736657/ live January 24, 1929 Brooklyn Realty Sold Brings $600,000 Profit 41 New York Herald Tribune 1941-0646 1111073528 At the time, Jonas was planning a large office building immediately to the south but had trouble acquiring National Title Guaranty's old building.February 14, 1929 Great Hotel to Be Built on Montague Street Site 1 The Brooklyn Daily Eagle https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-great-hotel-to/125735637/ June 2, 2023 June 2, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230602165445/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-great-hotel-to/125735637/ live Early the next month, National Title Guaranty bought the sites at 185 and 187 Montague Street from National City Bank and Jonas, respectively.February 9, 1929 3 Montague Street Properties Sold for Improvement 70 The Standard Union https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-3-montague-street-pro/125735727/ June 2, 2023 June 2, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230602172143/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-3-montague-street-pro/125735727/ live The insurance company was also planning a new headquarters at 185–187 Montague Street, variously cited as tenFebruary 9, 1929 Plans 16-Story Hotel; Jonas to Build on Brooklyn Block Front Next August. en-US The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1929/02/09/archives/plans-16story-hotel-jonas-to-build-on-brooklyn-block-front-next.html June 2, 2023 0362-4331 June 2, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230602164511/https://www.nytimes.com/1929/02/09/archives/plans-16story-hotel-jonas-to-build-on-brooklyn-block-front-next.html live or twelve stories. Helmle, Corbett & Harrison submitted plans for the building on February 8, 1929, at which point the structure was supposed to cost $350,000.February 8, 1929 Plan 12-Story Bank for Montague St. 24 Times Union https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-plan-12-story-bank-for-monta/125735796/ June 2, 2023 June 2, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230602181018/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-plan-12-story-bank-for-monta/125735796/ live The William Kennedy Construction Company was hired as the building's general contractor;March 30, 1930 Title Guaranty Co. Opens Building Here on April 3 49 Times Union https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-title-guaranty-co-opens-bui/125743991/ June 2, 2023 June 2, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230602195910/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-title-guaranty-co-opens-bui/125743991/ live in addition, Cox, Nostrand & Gunnison installed the lighting, and William H. Jackson & Co. executed the ironwork. The planned building had been revised to 16 stories by March 1929. The building was to have a brick and limestone facade. Its first two stories and mezzanine would be occupied by National Title Guaranty, while the other floors would be rented out. Work was underway by that April.April 7, 1929 Brooklyn Provides More Office Room: New Williamsburgh Bank Building Opens in Well-Rented Condition RE1 The New York Times 0362-4331 105065312 During the building's construction, National Title Guaranty continued to expand, acquiring the Guaranteed Mortgage Company of New York in March 1929March 31, 1929 Merger Arranged by Title Company; National Guaranty of Brooklyn to Absorb Guaranteed Mortgage Concern en-US The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1929/03/31/archives/merger-arranged-by-title-company-national-guaranty-of-brooklyn-to.html June 2, 2023 0362-4331 June 2, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230602173749/https://www.nytimes.com/1929/03/31/archives/merger-arranged-by-title-company-national-guaranty-of-brooklyn-to.html live and organizing the National Exchange Bank and Trust Company that July.July 16, 1929 Nat'l Exchange Bank: New Brooklyn Institution Stock to Be Offered at $115, Already Over-Subscribed 14 The Wall Street Journal 0099-9660 130677046 alt=Western facade of the building|thumb|The upper stories of the building as seen from the west National Title Guaranty had moved its offices to the building by November 1929, relocating some functions from 174 Madison Avenue in Manhattan.December 24, 1929 National Title Guaranty Co. Moves Into Its New Quarters 7 The Brooklyn Citizen https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-national-title-guar/125737622/ June 2, 2023 June 2, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230602173752/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-national-title-guar/125737622/ live The opening of the building's National Exchange Bank and Trust branch was delayed because the bank needed regulatory approval for the branch.January 19, 1930 Drops Brooklyn Bank Opening Suit. en-US The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1930/01/19/archives/drops-brooklyn-bank-opening-suit.html June 2, 2023 0362-4331 June 2, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230602190016/https://www.nytimes.com/1930/01/19/archives/drops-brooklyn-bank-opening-suit.html live 185 Montague Street officially opened on April 3, 1930, and the National Exchange Bank and Trust's branch there also opened that day.April 4, 1930 Bank in Brooklyn Opened; National Exchange Starts With Deposits of $2,000,000. en-US The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1930/04/04/archives/bank-in-brooklyn-opened-national-exchange-starts-with-deposits-of.html June 2, 2023 0362-4331 June 2, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230602190016/https://www.nytimes.com/1930/04/04/archives/bank-in-brooklyn-opened-national-exchange-starts-with-deposits-of.html live April 4, 1930 $2,000,000 Deposits in Day 35 New York Herald Tribune 1941-0646 1113190502 At the time of the building's opening, rental agents Riker & Co. had leased out all except approximately 1500 ft2 of space, despite high vacancy rates in the surrounding neighborhood. The National Exchange Bank and Trust branch occupied the basement and ground story, and National Title Guaranty occupied the second through fifth stories. The Mutual Life Insurance Company also had two stories, and the Commercial Casualty Insurance Company, American Surety Company, and lawyer Meier Steinbrink each had one story. The New York Times reported in 1931 that the structure had been fully occupied ever since its opening.March 29, 1931 Borough Hall Sees Trade Expansion: Tall Telephone Building Nearing Completion on Willoughby Street. New Pearl St. Structure Landmarks Doomed on Old Estate Property—rentals Undergoing Readjustment. Montague Street Activity. Borough Hall Sees Trade Expansion RE1 The New York Times 0362-4331 99374969 20th century The building had opened amid the Great Depression, but the National Title Guaranty initially appeared to be profitable. The National Exchange Bank had decided to shutter its banking operations by November 1933,November 28, 1933 National Exchange Bank, Brooklyn, To Liquidate: Finds 'Strong Retirement Argument' in Deposit Insurance 25 New York Herald Tribune 1941-0646 1114806869 and the state's insurance commissioner had taken over National Title Guaranty's operations the same year.August 3, 1933 Van Schaick Sets Up Plan; Releases 27 Guarantee Houses From Curbs on Operations. en-US The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1933/08/03/archives/van-schaick-sets-up-plan-releases-27-guarantee-houses-from-curbs-on.html June 2, 2023 0362-4331 June 2, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230602195921/https://www.nytimes.com/1933/08/03/archives/van-schaick-sets-up-plan-releases-27-guarantee-houses-from-curbs-on.html live August 3, 1933 Mortgage Firms Under State Rule Guarding Public 2 Times Union https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-mortgage-firms-under-state-r/125744926/ June 2, 2023 June 2, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230602202858/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-mortgage-firms-under-state-r/125744926/ live The liquidation of National Title Guaranty's business began in January 1935,January 24, 1935 Liquidation Ordered for National Title; Company First of Those Under Rehabilitation to Be Moved Against. en-US The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1935/01/24/archives/liquidation-ordered-for-national-title-company-first-of-those-under.html June 2, 2023 0362-4331 June 2, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230602195911/https://www.nytimes.com/1935/01/24/archives/liquidation-ordered-for-national-title-company-first-of-those-under.html live and a grand jury subsequently indicted and convicted several of the company's officers on fraud charges. One of National Title Guaranty's final assets to be liquidated was the lease that it held on the bank branch at 185 Montague Street.April 25, 1936 Lawyers Trust May Now Move to New Quarters 17 The Brooklyn Daily Eagle https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-lawyers-trust-m/125745357/ June 2, 2023 June 2, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230602195915/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-lawyers-trust-m/125745357/ live A state judge ruled in April 1936 that the lease could be transferred to the Lawyers Trust Company,April 28, 1936 Bank Moving in Brooklyn 39 The New York Times 0362-4331 101845646 which moved to the building at the beginning of that June.June 2, 1936 Al Smith, Here, Hits High Taxes 10 Times Union https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-al-smith-here-hits-high-ta/125745484/ June 2, 2023 June 2, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230602195915/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-al-smith-here-hits-high-ta/125745484/ live June 1, 1936 High Taxes Are Recovery Check Declares Smith 23 The Brooklyn Daily Eagle https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-high-taxes-are/125745746/ June 2, 2023 June 2, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230602195915/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-high-taxes-are/125745746/ live The County Savings Deposit Company, which operated a branch bank at 185 Montague Street, requested permission from state officials in 1942 to close that branch.April 4, 1942 State Banking Rulings; Modern Industrial Bank to Move Branch in Brooklyn en-US The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1942/04/04/archives/state-banking-rulings-modern-industrial-bank-to-move-branch-in.html June 2, 2023 0362-4331 June 2, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230602195913/https://www.nytimes.com/1942/04/04/archives/state-banking-rulings-modern-industrial-bank-to-move-branch-in.html live The Bowery Savings Bank acquired the building around April 1944 after foreclosing on a $500,000 mortgage loan that had been placed on the structure. Development firm Webb and Knapp bought the building in October 1944 and leased the first three stories to the Bank of the Manhattan Company, with the intention of demolishing the upper stories after the existing leases expired.October 14, 1944 Brooklyn Offices in New Ownership; Webb & Knapp to Change 185 Montague St. Under Lease to Bank of Manhattan en-US The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1944/10/14/archives/brooklyn-offices-in-new-ownership-webb-knapp-to-change-185-montague.html June 2, 2023 0362-4331 June 2, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230602195918/https://www.nytimes.com/1944/10/14/archives/brooklyn-offices-in-new-ownership-webb-knapp-to-change-185-montague.html live October 14, 1944 Webb & Knapp Buy Brooklyn Office Building: 12-Story Structure Will Be Cut to 3 Stories and Leased to Bank Branch 23 New York Herald Tribune 1941-0646 1313658252 The building's tenants, whose leases collectively expired in mid-1946, objected to the plans.Kirk Vincent R. January 27, 1946 'Shaving' of Building Has Tenants in Lather 1, 27 The Brooklyn Daily Eagle https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-shaving-of-bu/125791400/ June 3, 2023 June 3, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230603183836/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-shaving-of-bu/125791400/ live At the time, the building's largest tenants included law firm Delatour & Miller and the American Surety Company. Hunter L. Delatour of Delatour & Miller, along with 44 other tenants, filed a lawsuit against the building's owners 39 Corporation in March 1946, saying the plans violated an emergency statute because 39 Corporation was not replacing the building with a new structure.March 14, 1946 Tenants Fight Eviction; Seek to Prevent Bank Changes at 185 Montague Street en-US The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1946/03/14/archives/tenants-fight-eviction-seek-to-prevent-bank-changes-at-185-montague.html June 2, 2023 0362-4331 June 2, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230602195918/https://www.nytimes.com/1946/03/14/archives/tenants-fight-eviction-seek-to-prevent-bank-changes-at-185-montague.html live March 14, 1946 45 Boro Hall Tenants Fight Eviction Move 2 The Brooklyn Citizen https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-45-boro-hall-tenant/125791723/ June 3, 2023 June 3, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230603182332/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-45-boro-hall-tenant/125791723/ live The lawsuit followed a similar legal action that the occupants of the Ziegler Building in Manhattan had filed to prevent the construction of what became the Manufacturers Trust Company Building.February 8, 1946 Tenants Facing Eviction to Fight Move in Court 3 The Brooklyn Daily Eagle https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-tenants-facing/125791550/ June 3, 2023 June 3, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230603185136/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-tenants-facing/125791550/ live February 8, 1946 New Suit Looming to Block Eviction; Tenant of Brooklyn Structure Plans Action to Halt Bank From Taking Quarters en-US The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1946/02/08/archives/new-suit-looming-to-block-eviction-tenant-of-brooklyn-structure.html June 2, 2023 0362-4331 June 2, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230602195910/https://www.nytimes.com/1946/02/08/archives/new-suit-looming-to-block-eviction-tenant-of-brooklyn-structure.html live Ultimately, the building mostly retained its original design, except for the ground floor, which was renovated before the 1970s.Landmarks Preservation Commission 2017 . 9 The Manhattan Company bank branch opened in April 1947.April 12, 1947 Dodgers' Opening Game High Spot on Boro Calendar for Next Week 3 The Brooklyn Daily Eagle https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-dodgers-openin/125791931/ June 3, 2023 June 3, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230603190844/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-dodgers-openin/125791931/ live The building served as the Manhattan Company's Brooklyn headquarters; the bank had eight additional branches across Brooklyn in the late 1940s.April 4, 1949 Bank Celebrating 150th Anniversary 11 The Brooklyn Daily Eagle https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-bank-celebratin/125792009/ June 3, 2023 June 4, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230604010816/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-bank-celebratin/125792009/ live Chase Manhattan Bank moved to the building in 1955, closing its neighboring branch at 189 Montague Street, after Chase Manhattan merged with the Bank of the Manhattan Company.August 17, 1955 Brooklyn Bank Building Sold 25 New York Herald Tribune 1941-0646 1326992271August 17, 1955 Building in Brooklyn Sold by Chase Bank en-US The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1955/08/17/archives/building-in-brooklyn-sold-by-chase-bank.html June 3, 2023 0362-4331 June 3, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230603180923/https://www.nytimes.com/1955/08/17/archives/building-in-brooklyn-sold-by-chase-bank.html live By the 1970s, the building's tenants included Brooklyn Community Board 2,Bird David December 28, 1977 Making Local Boards Work Now a Full-Time, Paid Job en-US The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1977/12/28/archives/making-local-boards-work-now-a-fulltime-paid-job-making-the-59.html June 3, 2023 0362-4331 June 3, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230603180923/https://www.nytimes.com/1977/12/28/archives/making-local-boards-work-now-a-fulltime-paid-job-making-the-59.html live as well as the Brooklyn office of the New York City Department of City Planning.Fowler Glenn March 31, 1974 2 New Planners Set Aims en-US The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1974/03/31/archives/2-new-planners-set-aims-local-boards-praised.html June 3, 2023 0362-4331 June 3, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230603180928/https://www.nytimes.com/1974/03/31/archives/2-new-planners-set-aims-local-boards-praised.html live 21st century alt=The Chipotle restaurant at the base|thumb|A Chipotle restaurant occupies the ground floor, pictured here in 2013 By the early 21st century, the ground story of 185 Montague Street was occupied by a Chipotle Mexican Grill fast-food franchise.Spellen Suzanne 185 Montague St History Brownstoner July 6, 2010 https://www.brownstoner.com/architecture/building-of-the-89/ June 3, 2023 March 6, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210306144459/https://www.brownstoner.com/architecture/building-of-the-89/ live The National Title Guaranty Company Building, along with the adjacent People's Trust Company Building at 181 Montague Street, were nominated for city-landmark protection as part of the Borough Hall Skyscraper Historic District in 2011, but the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) did not include the buildings in the district.Gill Lauren August 12, 2016 The Rest Is History: City May Finally Landmark Two Buildings Left out of 'Skyscraper' Historic District https://www.brooklynpaper.com/the-rest-is-history-city-may-finally-landmark-two-buildings-left-out-of-skyscraper-historic-district/ May 30, 2023 Brooklyn Paper May 30, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230530191922/https://www.brooklynpaper.com/the-rest-is-history-city-may-finally-landmark-two-buildings-left-out-of-skyscraper-historic-district/ live Croghan Lore January 24, 2017 Two Brooklyn Heights 'Bank Row' Buildings Are Landmarked https://brooklyneagle.com/articles/2017/01/24/two-brooklyn-heights-bank-row-buildings-are-landmarked/ June 3, 2023 Brooklyn Eagle September 29, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220929194304/https://brooklyneagle.com/articles/2017/01/24/two-brooklyn-heights-bank-row-buildings-are-landmarked/ live Local civic group Brooklyn Heights Association then proposed that both 181 and 185 Montague Street be designated as New York City individual landmarks. The LPC began considering preserving the structures as individual landmarks in August 2016,Croghan Lore August 9, 2016 Two Brooklyn Heights Buildings up for Landmarking Consideration https://brooklyneagle.com/articles/2016/08/09/two-brooklyn-heights-buildings-up-for-landmarking-consideration/ May 30, 2023 Brooklyn Eagle May 30, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230530190416/https://brooklyneagle.com/articles/2016/08/09/two-brooklyn-heights-buildings-up-for-landmarking-consideration/ live though the building's owner opposed the designation of 185 Montague Street.Gill Lauren November 30, 2016 Owner of Historic Heights Chipotle Building Fights Landmarking https://www.brooklynpaper.com/owner-of-historic-heights-chipotle-building-fights-landmarking/ May 30, 2023 Brooklyn Paper May 30, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230530191920/https://www.brooklynpaper.com/owner-of-historic-heights-chipotle-building-fights-landmarking/ live The LPC hosted public hearings for the designations of the buildings at 181 and 185 Montague Street that November;Sizemore Jonathon December 21, 2016 Two Adjoining Bank Buildings Considered as Individual Landmarks https://www.citylandnyc.org/landmarks-designate-banks/ May 30, 2023 CityLand May 30, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230530190418/https://www.citylandnyc.org/landmarks-designate-banks/ live Croghan Lore November 29, 2016 Preservationists Call for Landmark Designation for Two Brooklyn Heights Buildings https://brooklyneagle.com/articles/2016/11/29/preservationists-call-for-landmark-designation-for-two-brooklyn-heights-buildings/ May 30, 2023 Brooklyn Eagle May 30, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230530190418/https://brooklyneagle.com/articles/2016/11/29/preservationists-call-for-landmark-designation-for-two-brooklyn-heights-buildings/ live the LPC designated both structures as landmarks on January 27, 2017.Plitt Amy January 24, 2017 Two Brooklyn Heights Bank Buildings Are NYC's Newest Landmarks https://ny.curbed.com/2017/1/24/14373686/nyc-historic-preservation-brooklyn-heights-bank May 30, 2023 Curbed NY May 30, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230530190420/https://ny.curbed.com/2017/1/24/14373686/nyc-historic-preservation-brooklyn-heights-bank dead January 29, 2017 Bank of America – JPMorgan Chase Bank https://therealdeal.com/miami/2017/01/29/lenders-made-more-1m-mortgages-in-pb-county-last-year/ May 30, 2023 The Real Deal May 30, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230530190415/https://therealdeal.com/miami/2017/01/29/lenders-made-more-1m-mortgages-in-pb-county-last-year/ live Critical reception When the building was almost completed in November 1929, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle wrote that the building had "many unique features which give it distinction and prominence", such as the concealed doors beside the main entrance and the "severe straight lines" of the upper stories. The New York Herald Tribune said in March 1930: "The treatment of both the exterior and interior of the building is modern, but not modernistic", while The New York Times called the structure "in its bold modern treatment, [...] a real architectural addition to the area of Brooklyn Heights". According to the Herald Tribune and the Times, the building's lighting scheme was to be an "integral part" of the design. The Brooklyn Citizen wrote that the National Exchange bank's interior "represents a new style in simple treatment", with its use of marble and metalwork. Francis Morrone wrote: "This is one of the jazziest little Art Deco skyscrapers in town, its play of projecting piers and receding planes reminiscent of the punching horns of Count Basie's orchestra."Morrone Francis https://books.google.com/books?id=cIOZO8_HNGAC&pg=PA146 An Architectural Guidebook to Brooklyn 2001 Gibbs Smith 978-1-4236-1911-6 146 June 7, 2023 June 1, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230601175919/https://books.google.com/books?id=cIOZO8_HNGAC&pg=PA146 live See also List of New York City Designated Landmarks in Brooklyn References Citations Sources CITEREFRobins2017 http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/2587.pdf National Trust Guaranty Company Building January 24, 2017 New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission Landmarks Preservation Commission 2017 External links Architecture New York City Category:1930 establishments in New York City Category:1930s architecture in the United States Category:Art Deco architecture in Brooklyn Category:Bank buildings in New York City Category:Brooklyn Heights Category:Commercial buildings completed in 1930 Category:New York City Designated Landmarks in Brooklyn