Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower
The Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower, also known as One Hanson Place, is a prominent mixed‑use building in Brooklyn, New York. It stands at the northeast corner of Ashland Place and Hanson Place in the Fort Greene area, near Downtown Brooklyn. Designed by Halsey, McCormack & Helmer, the tower was built between 1927 and 1929 as the new headquarters for the Williamsburgh Savings Bank.
At about 512 feet tall and 41 stories, it was the tallest building in Brooklyn when it opened, and it remained Brooklyn’s tallest structure until 2009. The tower showcases a blend of Neo‑Romanesque and Byzantine influences, with a brick and terracotta exterior and a Renaissance‑style dome inspired by the bank’s 175 Broadway building. The main entrance sits on Hanson Place under a large arch, and the ground level is clad in limestone with a granite dado, while the upper sections feature brick and decorative detailing.
The bank originally occupied the lower floors, while the upper stories were leased as offices. The building’s interior banking hall and many decorative spaces were designed to convey thrift, prosperity, and a churchlike grandeur. The 63‑foot‑high banking room features a nave and aisles, a chancel, and ornate marble and metalwork. The lobby and vestibule are richly finished, with Cosmati‑style floor inlays, mosaics, and a celebrated glass mosaic depicting Brooklyn’s history. The exterior clock faces on the four sides of the upper tower were once among the largest in New York, and the dome atop the building was illuminated at night with moving lights.
In 1977, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission designated the building’s exterior as a city landmark, and in 1996 the interior banking hall and certain spaces were also designated as landmarks. By the late 20th century, the tower housed many dentists’ offices and other tenants, while the Williamsburgh Savings Bank itself became part of HSBC Bank USA through mergers.
The tower underwent major changes in the 2000s. HSBC put the building up for sale in 2004, and a development team led by Dermot Company, with involvement from Magic Johnson and Canyon Capital Realty Advisers, bought it in 2005. The plan was to convert the upper floors into luxury condominiums while preserving the façade and key interior spaces. Renovation work occurred from 2005 to 2007, including repairs to the clock and relighting of the dome. The banking hall, protected as a landmark, was repurposed as an events space rather than a bank.
Today, the building contains 179 residential condominiums and about 33,000 square feet of retail space spread over three levels. The former banking hall remains a striking space used for events, cultural activities, and, at times, commercial showcases. The site also includes an underground link to the Atlantic Terminal and the nearby subway, LIRR terminus, and Barclays Center arena, making it a transportation hub as well as a historic landmark.
Throughout its history, the Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower has stood as a symbol of Brooklyn’s skyline and its evolution from a banking stronghold to a mixed‑use cultural and residential landmark. The tower has appeared in films and television shows and has been a recognizable reference point for the borough. The building’s distinctive arch, clock tower, and domed crown continue to define the Brooklyn skyline while its interior spaces offer a glimpse into early 20th‑century bank grandeur adapted for 21st‑century living.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 11:28 (CET).