Historic Architecture

Franklin Plaza stands at the corner of Fourth and Grand Streets long a hub of activity of downtown Troy, New York. The site has predominantly served as a banking center, with its first building constructed by Troy City Bank in 1833.

It continued to be a banking tradition until 1989, surviving a devastating citywide fire, bank consolidations, and numerous demolitions and constructions.

The current building located at Fourth and Grand, designed by world-renowned local architect Marcus Reynolds, was built in 1923. With its "classic lines of dignified Doric architecture, this structure of Indiana limestone with elaborate marble…interior" was, at the time, deemed one of the most beautiful banks in the northern New York.

Recognizing that these kinds of buildings just aren’t built anymore, Cocca purchased the building in 1992, after it had lain empty for several years. "Many examples of similar historic architecture torn down 20 years ago are considered priceless today," Michael says. "Now, there’s an appreciation of these great buildings that prompts us to want to save them. It’s nice to own a piece of history."

And save it he did! A 90-day whirlwind of renovation, with as many as three construction companies working at once, resulted in a refurbished building that retains its sense of history and opulence. Many of the original features of the building have been put to clever use. The bank’s vault –a massive York safe complete with unique features to deter would-be bank robbers is now a cloakroom. The marble and maple wood bar in the main dining area once served as a work area for bank tellers.