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Chase Tower -
822 7TH ST
 Print Listing
Historical Name -
Greeley National Bank
Style -
Modern Movements
Built Year -
1974
State ID -
5WL4105
Description -
Massive, irregularly-shaped, flat roof bank complex with poured-in-place concrete walls with beveled seams between panels. Complex includes three-story rectangular bank building, seven-story office tower, and two-story retail component across a pedestrian mall with benches, trees, and water features. Complex varies in height from two to seven stories. Bands of single-light windows with reflective glass. Second story of the tower features very tall windows in bands, as does portions of first story. First story windows are deeply inset. Columns of banded concrete. East side of three-story component of building has one-story shed roof projection with glazed roof, concrete walls, and plate glass windows. Globe lights project from upper wall. To east is two-story, long, rectangular, flat roof component with short single-light windows on north wall and large plate glass windows topped by transoms on first story. Column extends from northwest corner of this section of building to support roof of porch at upper story. Upper floors are cantilevered above northeast corner and there are two concrete columns of four and five stories that create plaza area with dark gray brick planters.
Historical Background -
This building was the largest single construction project ever undertaken in downtown Greeley at the time of its completion in 1974. The facility was designed to house the Greeley National Bank, professional offices, and commercial space. The building was designed by Nelson, Haley, Patterson and Quirk and William C. Muchow and Associates of Denver. Phelps-Tointon of Greeley was the general contractor. The design incorporated as much open space and landscaping as possible. The pedestrian mall area was intended to provide the city with cultural events, including arts festivals and music. The building’s construction included 862 tons of reinforced steel, 9,000 cubic yards of concrete, and 300 doors.
Architect William C. Muchow was born in Denver in 1922 and attended the University of Notre Dame and the University of Illinois. He studied under Eliel Saarinen at the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Muchow received an Award of Merit (1954) and an Honor Award (1975) from the American Institute of Architects, as well as numerous other awards for his architecture. Buildings he designed in Denver included: two parking garages (1953), First Federal Savings and Loan (1954), Public Service Building (1961), Lincoln Towers Office building (1964), the Federal Reserve Bank (1968), Currigan Exhibition Hall (1969), Park Central Office Building (1973), and Auraria Higher Education Center Administration Building (1975). Muchow was described as having “been able to combine a financially rewarding architectural career with a very high degree of design quality…Muchow’s work kept the Denver area abreast of leading international trends in architecture….”
Dale R. Hinman, chairman of the Greeley National Bank, noted that the institution wanted to erect its new building in downtown Greeley because “this is the center of Greeley’s activity and we wish to be a part of it.” Richard Schumann, president of the bank, commented, “Greeley National wanted to enhance the beauty of the town by having a modern shopping plaza in the downtown area.”
The Greeley National Bank traced its roots to 1888, when the Union bank was founded. In 1905 the Union Bank became the Union National Bank. In 1914 that institution merged with the City National Bank. In 1922 the Union National merged with the Greeley National, forming the Greeley Union National Bank. In 1934 the bank reorganized and gained a new name, the Greeley National Bank. In 1953 the bank included the first drive-up windows in Weld County and in the 1960s it became the first bank in Greeley to install a computer system.
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