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Featured Historic Preservation Programs Project: The Delaware Trust Building |
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| Historic postcard showing Delaware Trust Building in background, 1930s |
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| Banking Lobby before rehabilitation |
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| Banking Lobby after rehabilitation, view from Mezzanine |
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| Vault lobby in basement before rehabilitation |
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| Vault lobby in basement after rehabilitation into recreation/gym space |
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| Typical upper floor before rehabilitation |
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| Original Boardroom, 2nd floor, after rehabilitation |
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| View of rehabilitated unit on 13th floor |
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| Typical elevator lobby after rehabilitation |
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In 2002, Powers & Company, Inc. researched and prepared the National Register Nomination and coordinated the Federal Preservation Tax Incentives application to convert the Delaware Trust Building, a former bank and office building, into upscale apartments and retail spaces. The architecture firm Kling of Philadelphia was responsible for the rehabilitation plans.
A major component of the rehabilitation of this magnificent bank and office building by developers The Buccini-Pollin Group was the removal of a 22-story modern office tower inserted into the core of this building in the 1960s and restoration of the inner courtyard elevations. The grand banking lobby ceiling was painstakingly restored using a local master craftsman, and 280 sleek apartment units were created on the upper floors. The 2-story banking lobby now serves as an upscale lounge for residents, while the former vault space has been converted into work-out rooms leaving the vaults intact, and a 40-seat theater for residents. The building’s retail spaces presently support a gourmet market, a restaurant and a barbershop.
The Delaware Trust Building has stood prominently at the northeast corner of E. 9th and N. Market Streets in downtown Wilmington since it was completed 1921. Expanded in size in the 1930s and then with a 22-story tower (recently removed) in the 1960s, the resulting U-shaped, 14-story building served as the company headquarters for the Delaware Trust Company, the Delaware Trust Bank and the offices for the Hercules and Atlas Powder companies until 1997 when a major fire forced the closure of the building. The building, an outstanding example of the Classical Revival style architecture, is the work of the New York City architecture firm of Dennison and Hirons. |
