1411 COMMONWEALTH DRIVE
HE TALL, BRICK EDIFICE is an impossible-to-
miss sight at the busy intersection of Eastwood
and Military Cutoff. When Raleigh-based North
State Bank was looking for a new building for its
Wilmington branch, it was a no-brainer.
“The location was the driver,” says Jonathan N.
Krieps, chief operations officer at North State. “It’s a
great corner to be on. And the building itself has such
a presence on that corner.”
The building, designed by former Wrightsville
Beach architect Philip Sharpe, was in the planning
phase when North State entered the picture.
“We got involved during the planning pro-cess
when we knew it was available,” Krieps says.
“We asked for a few changes to get it to our
specifications.”
That included the warm, red brick that character-izes
the building. It was in keeping with the neigh-borhood,
and perfect for the company.
“The design was one that fits in with the surround-ing
buildings yet makes a statement of longevity and
strength with the red brick and high arch on the
front,” Krieps says.
Longevity and strength are just the messages North
State wants to convey to its customers. But it also
wants them to feel at home. That became the man-date
for the interior.
T
The red brick exterior conveys the message of strength
and security, ideal for a bank. The atmosphere switches
to warmth when customers enter the building.
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WBM march 2018