1909–1912 — Construction of the Beaux-Arts Headquarters at 49 Chambers Street
Architect Raymond F. Almirall, trained at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, designs the 17-story headquarters — the largest bank building in the United States at the time and the first skyscraper to use the "H"-plan for superior interior lighting.
Quote: "The 17-story Emigrant Industrial Savings Bank was constructed between 1909 and 1912, and was the third bank built on the site for the same expanding organization. Designed by architect Raymond F. Almirall... the pioneering 'H'-plan of the Emigrant represents an important phase in the development of the early skyscraper." — NYC LPC, LP-1438