The NBP building in Gdańsk, formerly the headquarters of the Reichsbankhauptstelle (main branch of the Reichsbank), is an architectural gem of the city, located at 1 Okopowa Street (formerly Karrenwall). The history of this institution dates back to 1879, when a branch of the Reichsbank in Danzig was opened, initially located on Dlugi Targ and later on Piwna Street. In 1895, after the inner fortifications of the city had been dismantled, attractive building plots in the historic centre became vacant, which made it possible to build the modern headquarters of the bank in the most prestigious location, next to the Upland Gate and Katownia.
The building, designed by Max Hasak, a prominent architect associated with the design of banking buildings in the German Empire, was built on an L-shaped plan. The main entrance, located on the side of the Upland Gate, led to a representative staircase, and an operating room of about 300 square metres occupied the north-western part of the ground floor. The building also contained servants’ flats for the bank’s staff and director.
NBP building, fragment of the façade. Photo: Gdańskie Nieruchomości
The façade of the building, maintained in the Neo-Renaissance style and richly decorated with bas-reliefs, sculptures and ornaments, was a tribute to distinguished figures from the history of Gdańsk, such as Jan Hevelius, Daniel Gralath or Jakob Kabrun. The architectural details, made of sandstone and partly gilded, referred to the Northern Neo-Renaissance, popular in Gdansk at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The building’s interiors, equally richly decorated, were characterised, among other things, by majolica coffers in the operating theatre ceiling and granite pillars.
View of the NBP building on a postcard from 1903 and today. Photo: muzeumpomorza.pl and Gdańskie Nieruchomości
The building was partially damaged during the Second World War. Among other things, the gables, roof and finials of the bay windows were destroyed. In 1947, during the reconstruction of the building, the roof and the top floor burned down, completing the destruction. Comprehensive conservation and restoration work was carried out in 1999-2000, which involved restoring the façade and some interior elements, partially restoring the building to its former glory. Although not all the damaged elements have been rebuilt, the National Bank of Poland building remains one of the most important and historic buildings in the city.
Source: ibedeker.pl, gdansk.gedanopedia.pl
Read also: Architecture in Poland | Facade | Monument | History | Gdańsk
