First National Bank Building (Hollywood, California)


Hollywood's First National Bank Building, also known as Hollywood First National, Security First National, and Security Pacific, is a historic thirteen-story building at 6777 W. Hollywood Blvd. and 1700 Highland Avenue, in Hollywood, California.

History

Hollywood's First National Bank Building, built in 1927 and opened 1928, was designed by Meyer & Holler, the same architectural firm that designed the nearby Chinese and Egyptian theaters. The building, along with Bank of America Building across the street, anchored the corner of Hollywood and Highland. It was built on the site of a two-story First National Bank Building, which was demolished to make way for this building.
In 1984, the Hollywood Boulevard Commercial and Entertainment District was added to the National Register of Historic Places, with Security Pacific listed as a contributing property in the district.
In 1992, the building was sold for $3.3 million, and it has been vacant since 2008.

Architecture and design

Hollywood's First National Bank Building, 13 stories and 183 feet in height, combines art deco and neo-Gothic styles to create a design meant to suggest the sense of fantasy in the area. The building is made of reinforced concrete and features an elaborate stepped tower and a facade decorated with medieval figures, floral patterns, and medallions. Additional bas-relief panels depicting Nicholas Copernicus and Christopher Columbus are meant to symbolize discovery and enterprise.

Filming location

Hollywood's First National Bank Building has served as a filming location for several movies and television shows, most notably Adventures of Superman, Twins, and the 1986 episode Scrap Metal from the TV series Hunter.