Coachella Valley Savings No. 2, Palm Springs
This building has housed several banks over its history. It has been known as the Coachella Valley Savings and Loan Association, a Washington Mutual, and currently a Chase Bank. The structure is the interesting part. It was built in the 1960s and designed by E. Stewart Williams in the International style. It lacks much ornamentation. It is distinctive, though, with inverted arches that form columns that hold up the flat room. The bank sits in front of a reflecting pool with fountains. The Classical symmetry of the facade is considered to be a nod to New Formalism.
The unique design, besides being beautiful, served two purposes. It provides an immense amount of open floor space inside, without the need for interior columns. It also provided the strength and stability needed to survive seismic events.
The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Besides being updated for an ATM and disabled access, the building is unchanged. It is referred to as Coachella Valley Savings and Loan No. 2 because it was the second branch and the second one designed by Williams. The first was a few blocks north.
The unique design, besides being beautiful, served two purposes. It provides an immense amount of open floor space inside, without the need for interior columns. It also provided the strength and stability needed to survive seismic events.
The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Besides being updated for an ATM and disabled access, the building is unchanged. It is referred to as Coachella Valley Savings and Loan No. 2 because it was the second branch and the second one designed by Williams. The first was a few blocks north.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Palm Springs. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Coachella Valley Savings No. 2 on Map
Sight Name: Coachella Valley Savings No. 2
Sight Location: Palm Springs, USA (See walking tours in Palm Springs)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Palm Springs, USA (See walking tours in Palm Springs)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Palm Springs, California
Create Your Own Walk in Palm Springs
Creating your own self-guided walk in Palm Springs is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Palm Springs Introduction Walking Tour
The Cahuilla people have lived in the Coachella Valley for over 2,000 years, long before the first European settlers showed up in the early 1800s. The area was popular because there was an abundance of water and shade here, rare commodities in the Sonoran Desert. Much of the land in and around Palm Springs is on the Agua Caliente Reservation; you can learn more about the Cahuilla at the Agua... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
Famous Houses in Palm Springs
Since the early 1930s, Palm Springs, California, has been a favorite desert oasis for the Hollywood elite. With its excellent winter and springtime weather, fabulous shopping, and beautiful overall ambiance, this place offered celebrities a convenient escape from clamoring photographers and newspaper gossip.
Here, behind the private walls of homes and bungalows, the stars could feel relaxed... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 7.2 Km or 4.5 Miles
Here, behind the private walls of homes and bungalows, the stars could feel relaxed... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 7.2 Km or 4.5 Miles