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In death, a member of project mayhem has a name.
I'll miss this place. Been in, over and under it there a handfull of times.
Full on work to become a Hilton Garden Inn now.
*Sappy words included, because I wrote them back then for a project:
You’d think down town Central Avenue in Phoenix would be prime building real estate. Add in historic 1929 architecture, some rich history and there’s no way a large building planted there could stand vacant for 40 years. But that is exactly what happened after what’s now known as Chase Tower went up across the street. The new modern glass faced 40 stories left the 15 storied concrete shell of the old Valley National Bank building in its shadow. Back in its heyday, the VNB Professional Building was The bank building in Phoenix. Shared with many smaller businesses, it laid claim to having the largest rotating neon sign in the world on its roof. An electronic bell tower system also resided in the topmost chamber for ringing out the time, music, or announcements.
The old building has seen some traffic during its long abandoned stint. Plans come and go to revive it for use for retail shops and hotel rooms. The top penthouse floor addition, built-on around the same time as the rooftop signs were changed out, has even been marketed as a possible swank bar/grill with a view location. While some stud and ductwork has been added, most inside the building remains the same. Elevators, their entrances adorned with marble facades and engravings, stay frozen in time. Original metal lattice work hang on hallway walls and dated lighting fixtures can be seen on some floors. The glass and brass floor to floor maildrop system’s green tarnished skeleton still mostly exists affixed to the marble on the floors’ common areas.
If one were to venture into the dark parking garage and basement below, other relics can be found along with the old original bank safe door and the newer vault with its thick doors left in tact in hopes of using the room as a private dining area if demolition and reconstruction should ever resume.
Even though the floor count is only 13, the view above the penthouse floor is quite impressive. The exposed glassless upper level really show the age and neglect of the building as the concrete layers crumble and what is left of the roof rusts away. Even with sure footing it can be difficult to choose solid steps here.
Further upward, the main hall elevator motor room still stands below where the old rotating sign was perched. A decaying concrete framework, seen where the sign once was, now only holds up the 12 megaphones from the retired PA loudspeaker system.
Most of the rebuild of this once downtown giant halted by 2008. The dust and rainwater are the only new company to its halls and quiet elevator shafts. Some of the building looks untouched since day one, while other parts sport new studwork but nothing else. The various states of decay and rebuild appear to ghostly transform in the beam of a swinging flashlight. This bank building exploration, literally rich in Phoenix’s history, was worth the challenge and the timeless photos I am able to share with you on its behalf.
The work begun before bankruptcy to restore in 2009
Ground floor by No Stone Unturned Photography, on Flickr
Top decay by No Stone Unturned Photography, on Flickr
Shaft by No Stone Unturned Photography, on Flickr
The old safe door by No Stone Unturned Photography, on Flickr
One of the rooms set up to show investors
Forgotten vault by No Stone Unturned Photography, on Flickr
IMG_0277 by No Stone Unturned Photography, on Flickr
IMG_6675 by No Stone Unturned Photography, on Flickr
Penthouse by No Stone Unturned Photography, on Flickr
Rooftop sunset 2 by No Stone Unturned Photography, on Flickr
Rooftop sunset 1 by No Stone Unturned Photography, on Flickr
Roof night 2 by No Stone Unturned Photography, on Flickr
Roof night 1 by No Stone Unturned Photography, on Flickr
Furthest building is on my checked list
Flyby by No Stone Unturned Photography, on Flickr
IMG_3110 by No Stone Unturned Photography, on Flickr
I'll miss it
Selfie by No Stone Unturned Photography, on Flickr
[last edit 1/20/2015 11:19 PM by skatchkins - edited 2 times]
Flickr Pitchrs | |
Fascinating text, evocative photos.
My fav, the hotel sign. "Air cooled"?
"The beauty of mediocrity is that anything can make you better." -Jeff Mallett | |
Great shots! Come to Yootaw...
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Wow. That place looks(looked) incredible! Great shots! It is always very heartbreaking when a place so grand and with such a history as that building did gets demolished. At least you have the photos and memories to remember it by.
"Why not?" is a slogan for an interesting life.
-Mason Cooley
http://unchartedsights.blogspot.com/ http://www.flickr....tos/danielmcadams/ | |
This is incredible! Wish I could've visited myself.
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