# Banca de Scont

Adresă: Str. Lipscani nr. 23, Sector 3, Cartierul Centrul Vechi (turistic), București
An construcție: 1903
Tip ansamblu: Blocuri
Tip clădire: 2-5 niveluri
Stil arhitectural: Beaux-Arts
Monument istoric: clasa B
Etichete: arhitectura, arhitect, modernist, artdeco, patrimoniu, monument istoric, risc seismic

## Articol
Până la cel de-al doilea Război Mondial, în pasajele Macca, respectiv Vilacrosse, și-au desfășurat activitatea birourile unor bănci și case de bancă: Ion Gheorghiu Galatz, Groswald & Macovici, Banca Sindicatului Agricol al Județului Vlașca, Banca Sporul Muncii, Banca de Întreprinderi Comerciale și Industriale. Și în imobilul de la numărul 7 de pe strada Karagheorghevici, al cărui proprietar a devenit în perioada interbelică BNR, au funcționat câteva instituții de credit, alături de mai multe firme comerciale, dintre care amintim aici doar Banca Alexandru Mendelsohn, Banca Marcel Mărculescu sau Banca Juster Rosenberg.

Bănci de dimensiuni și importanță reduse regăsim în toate cele patru clădiri cuprinse în patrulaterul format de străzile Băncii Naționale, Karagheorghevici, Doamnei și Smârdan. Construite la sfârșitul secolului al XIX-lea, acestea au avut preponderent funcții comerciale, cu excepția clădirii situate pe strada Karagheorghevici la nr. 6, unde, alături de mai multe magazine și birouri, a funcționat și Teatrul Modern.

Dintre instituțiile de credit care, în diverse perioade, și-au desfășurat activitatea aici menționăm: Banca Ilfov, Banca Albina (strada Smârdan nr. 2), Banca de Comerț și Scont, Banca Chiristigiilor, Banca Creditul Financiar, Banca A. Lazaris, Banca Ilie P. Rădulescu & Aurel Mohnblatt (strada Smârdan nr. 4), creditul Mobiliar Român, Banca de Credit și Scont, Banca Uniunii Comerciale (strada Doamnei nr. 8), Banca Zissu Fessler (strada Doamnei nr. 10), Banca A. Feldstein & M. Vainstein, Banca A. Aftalion, (strada E. Carada nr. 6), G. P. Ionescu, Banca Transsylvania (strada Băncii Naționale nr. 4). La această ultimă adresă a funcționat și una dintre cele mai importante instituții financiare ale României interbelice, Societatea Națională de Credit Industrial, de la înființarea sa, în anul 1923, și până la edificarea propriului palat din Piața Universității, la sfârșitul anilor ’30. (Palatele Băncii Naționale a României – Palatul Vechi, vol. 1, BNR 2012)

Referințe:

- Palatele Băncii Naționale a României – Palatul Vechi, vol. 1, BNR 2012

Octombrie 2022:

ChatGPT despre stilul arhitectural al clădirii din strada Lipscani 23 / Eugeniu Carada 1-3:

The building located at the intersection of Lipscani 23 and Eugeniu Carada 1-3 in Bucharest, known as the Banca de Scont (Discount Bank), is a stunning example of Beaux-Arts architecture, a style that was widely popular in Europe and the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Designed by the architect Oscar Maugsch in 1903, this structure is a testament to the grandeur and opulence that characterized the architectural tastes of the period. The Beaux-Arts style, which has its roots in the teachings of the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, is known for its emphasis on symmetry, classical details, and monumental scale, all of which are evident in this building.

The façade of the Banca de Scont building is a masterful composition of classical elements and richly detailed ornamentation, organized around a strong sense of symmetry and balance. The building's corner location at a prominent intersection in Bucharest's historic Lipscani district allows it to present two equally grand facades, each meticulously designed to convey a sense of prestige and authority. This approach is typical of Beaux-Arts architecture, where the visual impact of a building was as important as its functional aspects, particularly for institutions like banks that sought to project an image of stability and wealth.

One of the most striking features of the building is its use of a rusticated base, which occupies the ground floor and provides a solid, imposing foundation for the structure. Rustication, where the stonework is deliberately left rough or textured, adds a sense of weight and permanence to the building, anchoring it firmly to the ground. The ground floor is punctuated by a series of large, arched windows and doorways, each framed by massive voussoirs and keystones, which emphasize the strength and durability of the structure. These arches are not only functional, allowing light and access to the interior spaces, but also serve as a key decorative element, contributing to the building's overall rhythm and harmony.

Above the rusticated base, the upper floors of the building are articulated with a series of pilasters and engaged columns, which rise vertically to support a richly decorated cornice. These classical elements are a defining characteristic of the Beaux-Arts style, which drew heavily on the architectural language of ancient Greece and Rome. The pilasters are topped with Corinthian capitals, intricately carved with acanthus leaves and other classical motifs, adding a layer of refinement and elegance to the façade. Between the pilasters, the windows of the upper floors are framed by ornate moldings and pediments, some triangular and others segmental, which further enhance the building's classical appearance.

The windows themselves are tall and narrow, with a vertical emphasis that complements the height of the building. Each window is divided into multiple panes by slender mullions, a design that not only reflects the classical proportions of the façade but also allows for ample natural light to flood the interior spaces. The placement of the windows is carefully balanced, creating a rhythmic pattern that guides the viewer's eye across the façade and up towards the richly detailed cornice.

The cornice of the building is one of its most impressive features, projecting outward from the façade and supported by a series of modillions and dentils. This cornice serves both a decorative and practical function, capping the building and providing protection from the elements while also adding to its overall sense of grandeur. The cornice is further embellished with a frieze, which may contain bas-relief sculptures or other decorative motifs, adding to the building's visual richness.

The roof of the Banca de Scont building is a mansard roof, another hallmark of Beaux-Arts architecture. This type of roof, characterized by its steeply sloped sides and flat top, not only adds an additional floor of usable space within the attic but also contributes to the building's imposing silhouette. The roof is punctuated by a series of dormer windows, each framed by its own pediment and decorative moldings. These dormers not only provide light and ventilation to the uppermost floors but also add to the building's vertical emphasis, drawing the eye upwards and enhancing its monumental presence.

One of the most distinctive aspects of the building is the corner treatment, where the two facades meet. Here, the architect has employed a slightly protruding pavilion or bay, which is capped with a more elaborate mansard roof and topped with a decorative finial or acroterion. This corner pavilion is further emphasized by additional layers of ornamentation, including pilasters, balconies with wrought-iron railings, and sculptural elements such as garlands or cartouches. The treatment of the corner as a focal point is a common feature in Beaux-Arts architecture, where buildings often occupy prominent sites and are designed to be viewed from multiple angles.

The overall composition of the Banca de Scont building reflects the ideals of Beaux-Arts architecture, where classical forms and decorative elements are combined with modern construction techniques to create a structure that is both functional and aesthetically impressive. The use of high-quality materials, such as stone for the rusticated base and pilasters, and the attention to detail in the carving of capitals, moldings, and cornices, all contribute to the building's sense of opulence and refinement.

In conclusion, the Banca de Scont building at Lipscani 23 / Eugeniu Carada 1-3 is a superb example of Beaux-Arts architecture, characterized by its grand scale, classical proportions, and richly detailed ornamentation. Designed by Oscar Maugsch in 1903, this building reflects the architectural and cultural aspirations of Bucharest during a period of significant growth and modernization. The building's commanding presence, its use of classical elements such as pilasters, cornices, and mansard roofs, and its careful attention to symmetry and balance, all make it a significant piece of Bucharest's architectural heritage. Today, the Banca de Scont building stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of the Beaux-Arts style, which continues to be celebrated for its ability to convey both grandeur and elegance in the urban landscape.

## Specialiști
**Arhitectură:** Oscar Maugsch

Sursă: https://www.propertyindex.ro/residential/banca-de-scont