First National Bank Tower - Akron, Ohio - U.S. National Register of Historic Places on Waymarking.com

This is one of Akron’s landmark buildings, constructed in 1929 by Carmichael Construction at a cost of over $2.6 million. Spanning 27 stories and a height of 331 feet, the tower is the tallest building in Akron and Summit County. It was originally known as the First Central Trust Building, but was known for many years as the First National Tower. As First National Bank’s corporate identity changed, the building has recently become known as FirstMerit Tower. The building headquarters FirstMerit Corporation and others.
It was designed by Walker & Weeks of Cleveland, who was the largest architectural firm in Ohio during the period 1925-45. The art deco structure has four tiered levels. The basement is of fluted limestone piers dividing the windows. The entry has a marquee surmounted by a clock with eagle ornamentation. The third floor windows have decorative escutcheons. An allegorical relief of wealth is found over the entry. The lobby is built with Tennessee marble, white brick, and terra cotta, and features a large banking hall with arched windows. The top of the building has a television broadcast tower, formerly used by WAKR-TV (now WVPX-TV) and WAKR-AM. The antenna reaches 442 feet. The building has undergone extensive renovation in the last few years, includes repointing of all masonry and terra-cotta joints, repairs to the windows, structural restoration, and a restoration of the 13th floor parapet.

Street address: 106 S Main St Akron, Ohio USA 44308 County / Borough / Parish: Summit County Year listed: 2007 Historic (Areas of) Significance: Events that have made significant contribution to broad patterns of our history. Periods of significance: 1925-1949; 1950-1974 Historic function: office building Current function: office building Privately owned?: yes Primary Web Site: [Web Link] Season start / Season finish: Not listed Hours of operation: Not listed Secondary Website 1: Not listed Secondary Website 2: Not listed National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed

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Date Logged Log User Rating   12/28/2009 buffalohiker visited it