Midcentury Modern Renovation Project to be honored by Palm Springs Modern Committee in the Fall

Palm Springs, Calif –

Bank of America has reopened its historical 1959 midcentury modern financial center at 588 S. Palm Canyon Drive in downtown Palm Springs following two years of extensive renovations for safety and to restore its unique architectural and design elements. Nearly 100 community leaders and clients joined bank employees for an official grand reopening celebration and tour of the upgrades and restoration.

“Bank of America was the first bank to open a branch in the low desert region back in 1929, located in Palm Springs, and that commitment to the community continues today with our investment to preserve this magnificent midcentury modern landmark for future generations,” said Bansree Parikh, Bank of America Inland Empire president.  “What began as a brief three-month project to replace the roof turned into a three-year effort because we very quickly realized the need to make significant safety and seismic upgrades, energy efficient renovations and the opportunity to restore as many original architectural features as possible. This incredible effort couldn’t have happened without the support of our clients, the city and the community’s historic preservation leaders.”

Speakers at the celebration included Palm Springs City Councilmembers Ron deHarte and Lisa Middleton, Gensler architect Michael McAllister, Palm Springs Modern Committee President Courtney Newman and Palm Springs Preservation Foundation Board Chair Gary Johns.

Work included a new roof, weather-proofing, energy conservation, reinforced columns and beams to meet modern safety/seismic requirements, demolition and reconstruction of the cantilevered soffits, new exterior curtain wall, external paint colors to original specifications, preservation and reuse of original blue tiles, new midcentury modern features to replicate the original style including replacement of the original terrazzo, and restoration of original pendant lights.

Interior Design 588 S. Palm Canyon Drive 2024

Restoration of historic floor scale and mosiac tilework 588 S. Palm Canyon Drive 2024

Exterior ATM midcentury look 588 S. Palm Canyon Drive 2024

The first Bank of America in Palm Springs opened at 201 N. Palm Canyon Dr. on November 25, 1929, one month after the stock market crash that led to the Great Depression. It was the very first bank in the area – before this, the nearest bank was located in Banning, CA. The Palm Springs branch moved to 168 N. Palm Canyon Dr. in 1932, doubled in size and eventually moved to 150 N. Palm Canyon Dr. in 1950. This new location, which had air conditioning and a Coke machine, was designed by noted African American architect Paul R. Williams and partner A. Quincy Jones at the Town and Country Center. In January of 1968, another Bank of America branch, designed by famed architect Charles Luckman, was constructed at 101 N. Palm Canyon Dr The 1959 midcentury modern landmark celebrated today was originally a City National Bank. The branch was purchased by Security Pacific bank in 1989, and the deed transferred to Bank of America in 1992. It was designated a Class One Historic Site by the City of Palm Springs in July 2007.