Here is a photo showing the facade of the Brookline Savings and Trust Bank (now National City Bank), located on the 800 block of Brookline Boulevard, in January, 1952, prior to a renovation that would give the building its present day appearance ... well, almost. The bank building had appeared as pictured above since its opening in 1926, with the precast concrete facade.

Local construction company J.J. McGaffin Construction had plans to remake the front of the bank, installing an ultra-modern facing made almost entirely of solex glass panels that deflect the light and heat of the sun. The sides of the building were to be covered with cream colored swedish granite. The project was scheduled to take 60 to 90 days, but was delayed an additional couple months when the adjacent building, the Ben Franklin Store, was purchased to enlarge the actual size of the bank itself.

The two photos below show first the original proposed look of the new facade, and second the final look after the design was altered to include the enlarged building. Over the years, this bank became the West Penn National Bank, followed by Equibank and then Integra Bank, then finally the present-day National City Bank.

At the bottom of the page is a an old passbook from the Brookline Savings and Trust.