Historic Downtown Salem #38: First National Bank Building

280 Liberty Street NE

First National Bank Building on September 4, 2006.

This modern building was built for the First National Bank of Oregon in 1947. The building was designed by renowned Portland architect Pietro Belluschi. It was built of reinforced concrete with a facade of granite and marble with sculptures by Frederic Littman on the west side. The interior features birch paneling and a unique ceiling tile pattern.

Pietro Belluschi’s career began in 1925 when he began working as a designer at the Portland firm of A.E. Doyle and Associates. After Doyle’s death in 1928, Bellushi became a partner in the firm in 1933. By 1943, Belluschi had bought out all the other partners and practiced under his own name. At the time he designed this building, his office had 22 employees.

The First National Bank of Oregon became the First Interstate Bank of Oregon in 1982, and became Wells Fargo in 1996. Wells Fargo moved out in 2001, moving to a former First Security branch at 580 State Street. A new owner purchased the building in late 2005. This building was approved for demolition in 2008, but still stands vacant today.

Historical Photos:
First National Bank, 1980 (Salem Public Library)

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