08/27/2026
History of the Capitol Park Lofts Expansion Project | Part 2
The United Savings Bank Building at 1133 Griswold Street was modernized in the early 1970s with a new, nearly windowless granite front facade. The façade featured red granite at the center, flanked by vertical metal fins. Windows at the middle part of the facade were simple walled off. The office building deteriorated significantly and was vacant by the end of the century.
During the removal of the granite in 2023, the steel supporting grid was uncovered, revealing that all stone projections had been cut off to accommodate the steel and each steel framing member was anchored through the stone to the building frame behind. The original decorative stone cornice had also been removed and replaced by a block parapet.
More to come in Part 3, which explores the structural framework exposed during demolition and what it reveals about the building's evolution over time.
