Pacific Southwest / Security Bank Building  / 1060 Fulton – 1925

1060 Fulton Mall — Classical Revival, R. F. Felchlin Co, Architect.

Downtown Fresno's most prominent building for over 84 years, 1060 Fulton rises 264 feet above the Fulton Mall, and is visible from much of the city. It was built as the headquarters for the Fidelity Branch of the Pacific-Southwest Trust and Savings Bank. Construction of the 15 story building took eighteen months and cost $1,200,000. It opened to the public in January of 1925. The building was designed by noted California architect R. F. Felchlin, whose firm also designed many of Downtown Fresno's other prominent structures. For many years, the building was home to Security Pacific Bank, and was adorned with an illuminated "Security Bank" sign on all four sides, only one of which now remains. While its official name is now simply 1060 Fulton, many Fresnans still refer to the property as the "Security Bank Building."

Though the building has just 15 floors, due to the 40-foot high first floor, and 60 foot tall terra cotta tile "crown" that tops the building, its height is equivalent to that of a typical 21 story building. A communications antenna on the roof brings the overall height of the building to well over 300 feet. When the building opened in 1925 it was the tallest building on the west coast south of San Francisco, and it remained the tallest building between Oakland and Los Angeles for many decades. The building originally featured a rooftop mounted tower complete with a revolving signal beacon beacon that could be seen for 30 miles, and was intended to give weather warnings to valley farmers. The exterior features neo-classical details with 40 foot high Corinthian topped columns, rising from the sidewalk.

The first-floor bank lobby has a 40-foot ceiling of hand painted sculptured plaster with gold leaf. For many years this ornate ceiling was hidden by a modern "drop" ceiling of acoustic tile, but it has been restored by the current owners. This grand space is now used as a ballroom for wedding receptions, conventions and reunions. The building also features original mahogany interior trim, and walls of Tennessee walnut marble embellished with Bottocino marble. The building also houses a basement level parking garage for 150 cars, and six bank vaults. Located on the southeast corner of Fulton and Mariposa, the building sits at the heart of historic Fresno, and the site has been occupied by a building since the earliest days of the city. Today the upper floors of the building are home to luxury lofts, and the lower floors are home to offices. The grand ballroom on the first floor is used for conventions, meetings, and wedding receptions. It stands at the center of the six-block long Fulton Mall, and is adjacent to the Free Speech Plaza, which is home to a farmers market, concerts and festivals. With the possible exception of the historic Fresno Water Tower, 1060 Fulton is arguably the most recognized building in Fresno.