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Coordinates: 41°04′56″N 81°31′06″W / 41.0823°N 81.5184°W / 41.0823; -81.5184
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{{Short description|Office building in Akron, Ohio, United States}}{{About|the Akron skyscraper|the Detroit|Huntington Bank Tower}}{{Infobox building
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{{Infobox building
|name = FirstMerit Tower
|name = Huntington Tower
|image = FirstMeritTower.jpg
|image = File:Corner view of Huntington Tower.jpg
|location = 106 King James Way, [[Akron, Ohio]], [[United States]]
|location = 106 King James Way, [[Akron, Ohio]], U.S.
|coordinates = {{coord|41.082352|-81.518480|region:US-OH|display=inline,title}}
|coordinates = {{coord|41.0823|-81.5184|region:US-OH|display=inline,title}}
|floor_count = 27
|map_type = Ohio
|completion_date = 1931
|floor_count = 27
|elevator_count =
|references = <ref name="emporis" /><ref name="skyscraperpage" />
|completion_date = 1931
|roof = {{convert|101|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|antenna_spire = {{convert|137|m|ft}}<ref name="skyscraperpage" />
|references = <ref name="emporis" /><ref name="skyscraperpage" />
|architect = [[Walker & Weeks]]<ref name="emporis" />
|roof = {{convert|101|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|antenna_spire = {{convert|137|m|ft}}<ref name="skyscraperpage" />
⚫
|architect = [[Walker & Weeks]]<ref name="emporis" />
|module =
⚫
{{Infobox NRHP
| embed = yes
⚫
| name = First National Bank Building
⚫
| nrhp_type = nrhp
| architect = [[Walker & Weeks]]
⚫
| architecture = [[Art Deco]]
⚫
| added = June 27, 2007<ref name="National Register Database">{{NRISref|2010a}}</ref>
⚫
| refnum = 07000633<ref name="National Register Database"/>
}}
}}
{{Infobox NRHP
⚫
| name =First National Bank Building
⚫
| nrhp_type = nrhp
| location = 106 South Main Street, [[Akron, Ohio]], [[United States]]
| built =1931
⚫
| architect= [[Walker & Weeks]]
⚫
| architecture= [[Art Deco]]
⚫
| added = June 27, 2007<ref name="National Register Database">{{NRISref|2010a}}</ref>
| governing_body = Local
⚫
| refnum= 07000633<ref name="National Register Database"/>
}}
}}
'''FirstMerit Tower''', also known as the '''First National Bank Building''' or the '''First Central Trust Building''', is a skyscraper in [[Akron, Ohio]] that has remained the tallest building in that city since its completion in 1931.<ref name="emporis">{{emporis|125771}}</ref>
'''Huntington Tower''', earlier known as '''FirstMerit Tower,''' '''First National Bank Building,''' the '''First Central Tower''' and the '''First Central Trust Building''', is a skyscraper in [[Akron, Ohio]]. The centerpiece of downtown Akron, it sits in the [[Cascade Plaza, Akron|Cascade Plaza]] at the corner of King James Way and East Mill Street.<ref>{{cite news| last=Warsmith| first=Stephanie| date=October 7, 2013| title=Akron moving ahead with plans to improve Cascade Plaza| url=https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/local/2013/10/07/akron-moving-ahead-with-plans/10722689007/| newspaper=[[Akron Beacon Journal]]| access-date=March 23, 2022}}</ref> The {{convert|330|ft|m|abbr=on|adj=on}} tower<ref name="skyscraperpage">{{skyscraperpage|1207}}</ref> has been [[List of tallest buildings in Akron, Ohio|the city's tallest building]] since its completion in 1931.<ref name="emporis">{{Cite web |url=https://www.emporis.com/buildings/125771 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302171012/https://www.emporis.com/buildings/125771 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=March 2, 2016 |title=Emporis building ID 125771 |work=[[Emporis]]}}</ref>


The building is [[art deco]] in style and is covered in [[glazed architectural terra-cotta]].<ref name="FirstMerit Restoration">[http://www.westerngroup.com/servicesAndProjects/structures/officeCommercial.jspx?fileName=1120493926173-106-04-01.jpg&id=245 FirstMerit Restoration] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060311053532/http://www.westerngroup.com/servicesAndProjects/structures/officeCommercial.jspx?fileName=1120493926173-106-04-01.jpg&id=245 |date=March 11, 2006 }}, westerngroup.com</ref> It sits at the corner of King James Way and East Mill Street. It rises 27 stories to a height of {{convert|330|ft|m}}.<ref name="skyscraperpage">{{skyscraperpage|1207}}</ref> The building stands in the [[Cascade Plaza, Akron|Cascade Plaza]].<ref>{{cite journal|ref=harv|url=http://www.ohio.com/news/akron-moving-ahead-with-plans-to-improve-cascade-plaza-1.435081 |last=Warsmith|first=Stephanie|title=Akron moving ahead with plans to improve Cascade Plaza |date=7 October 2013|journal=Akron Beacon|accessdate=2013-11-18}}</ref> It is the centerpiece of downtown Akron. The building headquarters the [[Huntington Bank]] (formerly known as [[FirstMerit Corp.]]) and others. The lobby is built with Tennessee marble, white brick, and terra cotta, and features a large banking hall with arched windows.<ref name="emporis"/> The tower was built on the former site of the Hamilton Building, completed in 1900 in the [[neo-gothic]] style.<ref name="emporis"/>
The 27-story building is [[art deco]] in style and is covered in [[glazed architectural terra-cotta]].<ref name="FirstMerit Restoration">{{cite web| url=http://www.westerngroup.com/servicesAndProjects/structures/officeCommercial.jspx?fileName=1120493926173-106-04-01.jpg&id=245| title=FirstMerit Restoration| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060311053532/http://www.westerngroup.com/servicesAndProjects/structures/officeCommercial.jspx?fileName=1120493926173-106-04-01.jpg&id=245| archive-date=March 11, 2006| website=Western Construction Group}}</ref> Its lobby is built of [[Tennessee marble]], white brick, and terra cotta, and features a large banking hall with arched windows.<ref name="emporis" />


The tower is also noted for its role in local broadcasting. Studios for [[WAKR]] radio were originally housed in the ground level from 1940 until 1953.<ref name=":0" /> The top of the building also held a television [[Radio masts and towers|mast]] originally used by WAKR's TV adjacent, WAKR-TV (now [[WVPX-TV]]) and [[WONE-FM|WAKR-FM]].<ref name=":0">{{cite news| first=Mark J.| last=Price| title= Scraping the Sky| url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98238977/the-akron-beacon-journal/| newspaper=Sunday Beacon Magazine| page=13| date=March 14, 1999| access-date=March 23, 2022}}</ref> Erected in 1953 for WAKR-TV's sign-on<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 7, 1953 |title=Bird? Plane? Nope, TV Show 487 Feet in Air |page=2 |newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal |location=Akron, Ohio |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66163721/bird-plane-nope-tv-show-487-feet-in/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121204922/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66163721/bird-plane-nope-tv-show-487-feet-in/ |archive-date=January 21, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{unbulleted list citebundle|{{Cite news|date=June 7, 1953|title='Way Up Here---|page=1|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66163232/way-up-here/|access-date=December 27, 2020|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=January 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121204918/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66163232/way-up-here/|url-status=live}}|{{Cite news|date=June 7, 1953|title=---He Snaps A Picture From WAKR-TV Tower|page=1|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66163354/-he-snaps-a-picture-from-wakr-tv-tower/|access-date=December 27, 2020|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=January 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121204923/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66163354/-he-snaps-a-picture-from-wakr-tv-tower/|url-status=live}}}}</ref> and later donated to PBS member station [[WNEO|WEAO]], the [[Antenna (radio)|antenna]] reached a height of {{convert|134.7|m|ft}} but was removed in 2019.<ref name="skyscraperpage" /><ref name="Huntington Bank Tower">{{Cite news |last=Mackinnon |first=Jim |date=July 11, 2019 |title=Something's missing on downtown skyline |language=en |pages=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/51906136/somethings-missing-on-downtown/ B10] |newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal |location=Akron, Ohio |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/51905915/somethings-missing-on-downtown/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121204937/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/51905915/somethings-missing-on-downtown/ |archive-date=January 21, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
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Near the turn of the millennium the tower was given a $2.5 million facelift, including a $1.8 million restoration of the tower's terra-cotta, brick and limestone.<ref name="FirstMerit Restoration"/> The painstaking process involved the removal of some 450 blocks weighing up to 75&nbsp;pounds each for cleaning and reassembly. Over 1,100 other pieces of the masonry and tilework were repaired on site.<ref name="FirstMerit Restoration"/> In 2007, the tower was again undergoing a restoration. Completed by Cleveland-based VIP Restorations, it includes repointing of all masonry and terra-cotta joints, repairs to the windows, structural restoration, and a restoration of the 13th floor parapet.<ref name="VIP">[http://www.viprestoration.com/firstMerit.html FirstMerit], VIP Restoration</ref> VIP Restorations also helped to get the building placed within the [[National Register of Historic Places]] upon the completion of the project.<ref name="National Register Database"/><ref name="VIP"/>


==History==
The top of the building has a television broadcast tower, formerly used by WAKR-TV (now [[WVPX-TV]]) and [[WAKR-AM]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Beacon Magazine: Scraping the Sky|work=[[Beacon Journal]]|publisher=[[Knight-Ridder]]|page=13|date=1999-03-14}}</ref> The antenna reaches {{convert|134.7|m|ft}}.<ref name="skyscraperpage" />
The tower replaced the [[neo-Gothic]] Hamilton Building, completed on the site in 1900.<ref name="emporis" />


⚫
Around 2000, the tower was given a $2.5 million facelift, including a $1.8 million restoration of the tower's [[Terracotta|terra-cotta]], brick, and [[limestone]] facade. The painstaking process involved the removal of some 450 blocks weighing up to {{convert|75|lb|kg}} for cleaning and reassembly. Over 1,100 other pieces of the masonry and tilework were repaired on site.<ref name="FirstMerit Restoration"/> In 2007, the tower underwent another restoration. Completed by Cleveland-based VIP Restorations, it included repointing of all masonry and terra-cotta joints, repairs to the windows, structural restoration, and a restoration of the 13th floor [[parapet]].<ref name="VIP">[http://www.viprestoration.com/firstMerit.html FirstMerit], VIP Restoration {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930045400/http://www.viprestoration.com/firstMerit.html |date=2007-09-30 }}</ref> VIP Restorations also helped to get the building placed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name="National Register Database"/><ref name="VIP"/>
==See also==

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* [[List of tallest buildings in Akron, Ohio]]
The building's name changed after [[Huntington Bancshares|Huntington]] acquired [[FirstMerit Corporation|FirstMerit]] in 2016.<ref name="PD Jan 2016">{{cite news| last1=Warsinskey| first1=Tim| title=Huntington Bank buys FirstMerit: 12 things to know (photos)| url=http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2016/01/huntington_bank_buys_firstmeri.html| date=January 11, 2009| newspaper=[[The Plain Dealer]]| location=[[Cleveland]]}}</ref>

In 2019, Huntington announced the building was for sale.<ref name="Tower for Sale">{{cite news |last1=Lin-Fisher |first1=Betty |title=Huntington Tower, Akron's tallest building, for sale |url=https://www.ohio.com/news/20190320/huntington-tower-akrons-tallest-building-for-sale |newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal |access-date=6 June 2019}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
*[https://www.akronlibrary.org/images/Divisions/SpecCol/images/07000633.pdf National Register of Historic Places nomination form for First National Bank Tower]
{{commons category-inline}}
*{{commons category-inline}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Firstmerit Tower}}
[[Category:Skyscrapers in Akron, Ohio]]
[[Category:Skyscrapers in Akron, Ohio]]
[[Category:Office buildings completed in 1931]]
[[Category:Office buildings completed in 1931]]
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[[Category:Buildings and structures in Akron, Ohio]]
[[Category:Bank company headquarters in the United States]]
[[Category:Terracotta]]
[[Category:Terracotta]]
[[Category:Art Deco architecture in Ohio]]
[[Category:Art Deco architecture in Ohio]]
[[Category:1931 establishments in Ohio]]
[[Category:1931 establishments in Ohio]]
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[[Category:Skyscraper office buildings in Ohio]]
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[[Category:Office buildings in Akron, Ohio]]

Latest revision as of 20:28, 17 October 2024

This article is about the Akron skyscraper. For the Detroit, see Huntington Bank Tower.
Huntington Tower
Huntington Tower is located in Ohio
Huntington Tower
Location within Ohio
General information
Location106 King James Way, Akron, Ohio, U.S.
Coordinates41°04′56″N 81°31′06″W / 41.0823°N 81.5184°W / 41.0823; -81.5184
Completed1931
Height
Antenna spire137 metres (449 ft)[1]
Roof101 m (331 ft)
Technical details
Floor count27
Design and construction
Architect(s)Walker & Weeks[2]
First National Bank Building
ArchitectWalker & Weeks
Architectural styleArt Deco
NRHP reference No.07000633[3]
Added to NRHPJune 27, 2007[3]
References
[2][1]

Huntington Tower, earlier known as FirstMerit Tower, First National Bank Building, the First Central Tower and the First Central Trust Building, is a skyscraper in Akron, Ohio. The centerpiece of downtown Akron, it sits in the Cascade Plaza at the corner of King James Way and East Mill Street.[4] The 330 ft (100 m) tower[1] has been the city's tallest building since its completion in 1931.[2]

The 27-story building is art deco in style and is covered in glazed architectural terra-cotta.[5] Its lobby is built of Tennessee marble, white brick, and terra cotta, and features a large banking hall with arched windows.[2]

The tower is also noted for its role in local broadcasting. Studios for WAKR radio were originally housed in the ground level from 1940 until 1953.[6] The top of the building also held a television mast originally used by WAKR's TV adjacent, WAKR-TV (now WVPX-TV) and WAKR-FM.[6] Erected in 1953 for WAKR-TV's sign-on[7][8] and later donated to PBS member station WEAO, the antenna reached a height of 134.7 metres (442 ft) but was removed in 2019.[1][9]

History

[edit]

The tower replaced the neo-Gothic Hamilton Building, completed on the site in 1900.[2]

Around 2000, the tower was given a $2.5 million facelift, including a $1.8 million restoration of the tower's terra-cotta, brick, and limestone facade. The painstaking process involved the removal of some 450 blocks weighing up to 75 pounds (34 kg) for cleaning and reassembly. Over 1,100 other pieces of the masonry and tilework were repaired on site.[5] In 2007, the tower underwent another restoration. Completed by Cleveland-based VIP Restorations, it included repointing of all masonry and terra-cotta joints, repairs to the windows, structural restoration, and a restoration of the 13th floor parapet.[10] VIP Restorations also helped to get the building placed on the National Register of Historic Places.[3][10]

The building's name changed after Huntington acquired FirstMerit in 2016.[11]

In 2019, Huntington announced the building was for sale.[12]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "Huntington Tower". SkyscraperPage.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Emporis building ID 125771". Emporis. Archived from the original on March 2, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  3. ^ a b c "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  4. ^ Warsmith, Stephanie (October 7, 2013). "Akron moving ahead with plans to improve Cascade Plaza". Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  5. ^ a b "FirstMerit Restoration". Western Construction Group. Archived from the original on March 11, 2006.
  6. ^ a b Price, Mark J. (March 14, 1999). "Scraping the Sky". Sunday Beacon Magazine. p. 13. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  7. ^ "Bird? Plane? Nope, TV Show 487 Feet in Air". Akron Beacon Journal. Akron, Ohio. June 7, 1953. p. 2. Archived from the original on January 21, 2022. Retrieved December 27, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^
  9. ^ Mackinnon, Jim (July 11, 2019). "Something's missing on downtown skyline". Akron Beacon Journal. Akron, Ohio. pp. B1, B10. Archived from the original on January 21, 2022. Retrieved February 19, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ a b FirstMerit, VIP Restoration Archived 2007-09-30 at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ Warsinskey, Tim (January 11, 2009). "Huntington Bank buys FirstMerit: 12 things to know (photos)". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland.
  12. ^ Lin-Fisher, Betty. "Huntington Tower, Akron's tallest building, for sale". Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
[edit]
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