850 N Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90012, USA

Bank of America Chinatown Branch

Overview
The Chinatown branch of Bank of America, located on the corner of North Broadway and West College street in the heart of Los Angeles's Chinatown was completed in two phases.

The initial phase, designed by Gilbert Leong and Richard Layne Tom in 1971, is in the Asian Eclectic style, which differentiated itself from Bank of America's other branches which are described as "Early Modern Slab" architecture. This phase consisted of a new bank building with offices.

In 1977, a one-story addition designed by Richard Layne Tom with his firm Tom and Truskier seamlessly extended the bank building to the south, continuing the established rhythm of bays, green tile roof, and design themes both outside and in.

The Chinatown Branch building is significant for its architectural design as well as for its association with the growing Chinatown community in the Post-War period. L.A.'s Chinatown saw increased population growth following the passage of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 which removed the racially motivated quota system that had been in place since the 1920s.

Photo by Jenna Snow.