Finished in 1911 the American Bank Note Company Printing Plant stands before us. It is a testament to innovation and security. This Bronx landmark once produced currency and financial documents for the world.
The American Bank Note Company Printing Plant’s story begins in the late 19th century. This area was once part of Edward G. Faile’s estate. By 1908, the American Bank Note Company sought a new production site. They wanted to separate administration from manufacturing. The company chose this location for its proximity to the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad.
Imagine 100 years ago trucks delivering tons of paper annually. The American Bank Note Company Printing Plant needed that paper to print money. Construction commenced in 1909. Kirby, Petit & Green designed the plant. They also designed the company’s Manhattan headquarters. The American Bank Note Company Printing Plant incorporated advanced engineering. Its sawtooth roof and large windows provided improved lighting. Electric motors replaced line shafts. The design prioritized production lines. The building enclosed them.
Let us discuss the architecture of the American Bank Note Company Printing Plant. The Lafayette wing spans the south side. It is the longest and tallest part of the complex. A nine-story tower marks its entrance. The Garrison wing is perpendicular. It is lower but more massive. The Barretto wing was added later. These buildings total 405000 square feet.
Inside the American Bank Note Company Printing Plant, financial history was made. The plant printed international currency. It also printed half the securities traded on the New York Stock Exchange. The American Bank Note Company Printing Plant was best known for Latin American currencies. The plant even housed a research department. They improved materials to deter forgeries. At one point over five million documents were produced here daily.
Not all ventures at the American Bank Note Company Printing Plant were successful. For six years, they produced playing cards. These cards lacked an opaque inner layer. This allowed the faces to be read from the back. The company sold the playing card business in 1914.
In 1977, the American Bank Note Company Printing Plant was targeted by terrorists. The FALN bombed the plant due to its role in capitalism. The explosion damaged windows up to the fourth floor. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured.
By the mid-1980s, the American Bank Note Company Printing Plant era ended. The company moved its printing facilities to Blauvelt, New York. The building was repurposed several times. It became the Bronx Apparel Center. Later, it housed the John V. Lindsay Wildcat Academy Charter School.
In 2008, the American Bank Note Company Printing Plant became a New York City landmark. Its crenellated tower massive brick piers and sawtooth skylights were preserved. Today, the building is a mixed-use hub. It supports the Hunts Point community. The BankNote stands as a proud reminder of its rich history.
Consider how this building has transformed. From printing money to educating students it remains a vital part of the Bronx. As we conclude our visit remember the legacy of the American Bank Note Company Printing Plant. It is a symbol of industry innovation and enduring architectural significance.