Time After Time - Even More Banks
Then … Still searching for Stevenson, Herbert hasn’t given up on the idea that surely he must have been to a bank to get cash; he heads back to the Financial District, beginning here at the main entrance of the United California Bank Building at 405 Montgomery Street.
… and Now, that location has seen a succession of exterior street level changes since it first opened as the Financial Center Building in 1927. In 1956 the facade was modernized, including replacing the original cast stone with polished granite cladding - this is how it was when the movie was filmed (above). Later, in 1997, the Omni Hotel acquired the building and by 2001 redid the exterior to closely revert it to the original 1927 style (see the recent photo below). Click or tap the image to see where Herbert’s entrance used to be.
These three images show the Financial Center Building’s evolution over the past century. The 1926 photo on the left reveals a tall main entrance located dead center on the Montgomery Street side. The 1990s photo in the center shows the 1956 facade modernization- the entrance was in the same spot, between the flagpoles. The architect rendering on the right shows the 1997 Omni Hotel remodeled as it still looks today; the styling mimics the original except the entrance was moved to the California Street side, its address concomitantly becoming 500 California Street. (Images courtesy of Dean Randle, head architect for the Omni Hotel conversion).
Then … Next up, Mitsubishi Bank of California, conveniently in the building right next door at 425 Montgomery Street.
… and Now, the facade on this building too has been redone since then but the unchanged windows on the 2nd and 3rd floors just visible above confirm where the 425 Montgomery bank entrance was, indicated by the arrow.
Then … He also tries the Western Women’s Bank a few blocks away at 237 Front Street.
… and Now, the 237 Front Street building, on the corner of Halleck Alley, has also been, ahem, ‘modernized’. It’s currently vacant in search of a tenant.
For 29 years there was a McDonald’s diner at this location. It’s pictured here in 2022 before it closed a year later. Its neighbor, the historic Harrington’s Bar & Grill Irish pub, has fared better; it opened in 1935 and is now back in business after surviving an extended covid epidemic-induced shutdown.
Then … Banco Do Brasil at 540 California Street is next on his list. Again, all we are shown is a brief camera pan of the bank’s name above the entrance.
… and Now, 540 California is located in the 550 California office high-rise next door to the aforementioned Omni Hotel. The arrow points to where the Banco Do Brasil name used to be.
Then … and finally Wells Fargo Bank. As he exits he’s clearly demoralized having drawn a blank with all five banks.
and Now, Wells Fargo is still there at 464 California Street. Note the same fire department standpipe connections Then and Now protruding from the wall.