Real / Replica: Greater Buffalo Savings Bank

This pewter bank replica of the Greater Buffalo Savings Bank was made in 2002. They were given away to new account customers. While in Buffalo, NY, I tracked down the real GBSB building. While doing research, I discovered some fascinating history about the building. Turns out, it was originally built as a Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Co. showroom for the American automobile manufacturer based in Buffalo, N.Y. Designed by H.E. Plumer and opened in 1933, the Art Deco building was planned to be the prototype for Pierce-Arrow dealerships across the country. Timing was bad and the automobile company was hit hard by the Depression. In 1999, the Greater Buffalo Savings Bank was formed and bought the building to use as their headquarters. In 2002, the bank restored the building and used it as the design prototype for the bank's three other branches. The bank company has recently been acquired by First Niagara Bank.