# Banca Alexandru Mendelsohn

Adresă: Str. Eugeniu Carada nr. 7, Sector 3, Cartierul Centrul Vechi (turistic), București
An construcție: 1910
Tip ansamblu: Blocuri
Tip clădire: 6-12 niveluri
Stil arhitectural: Modernist interbelic
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 Eugeniu Carada 7:

The building located at Eugeniu Carada 7 in Bucharest is a quintessential example of early 20th-century urban residential architecture, characterized by its practical, yet refined, approach to design. This structure, likely built during the interwar period, reflects the architectural trends of that era, which emphasized functionality, simplicity, and a departure from the more ornate styles of the 19th century. The building's design is rooted in the principles of modernism, with subtle nods to the Neoclassical and Beaux-Arts traditions that were still influential during this transitional period.

The façade of the building is organized into a clear, rational grid, reflecting the influence of modernist principles that prioritize order, symmetry, and the efficient use of space. This grid is created by the regular placement of windows and the horizontal lines of the cornices, which run the length of the building, giving it a coherent and unified appearance. The façade is divided into five levels: a rusticated ground floor, three upper floors, and a mansard roof with dormer windows.

The ground floor of the building is distinctively marked by rusticated stonework, which is a common feature in early 20th-century architecture. This rustication not only adds texture and depth to the façade but also serves to visually anchor the building to the ground, providing a solid and durable base for the structure. The ground floor is punctuated by large windows and doors, which likely serve commercial purposes, as indicated by the presence of café seating in front of the building. These openings are framed by simple, yet elegant moldings, reflecting the building's understated approach to ornamentation.

Above the ground floor, the upper levels of the building are characterized by a more restrained design, with smooth, unadorned surfaces that are punctuated by regularly spaced windows. These windows are all rectangular in shape, consistent with the building's overall emphasis on simplicity and functionality. The windows are framed by subtle moldings that provide a hint of decoration without overwhelming the façade. This restrained approach to ornamentation is indicative of the architectural trends of the early 20th century, where there was a shift away from the elaborate decorations of previous styles in favor of a more minimalist aesthetic.

One of the key features of the building is its use of horizontal cornices, which run along the top of each floor and serve to delineate the different levels of the building. These cornices are relatively simple in design, with clean lines that contribute to the building's overall sense of order and coherence. The cornice at the top of the third floor is more pronounced, projecting outward from the façade and providing a visual cap to the building. This cornice is supported by a series of small brackets or modillions, which add a touch of classical detail to the otherwise modern design.

The roof of the building is a mansard roof, a feature that is both practical and stylistically appropriate for the era. The mansard roof allows for additional living or storage space within the attic, a common feature in urban residential buildings of this period. The roof is punctuated by a series of dormer windows, which provide light and ventilation to the uppermost level of the building. These dormer windows are framed by simple moldings, consistent with the building's overall approach to decoration.

Despite the building's relatively modest scale and understated design, it exhibits a sense of elegance and refinement that is characteristic of early 20th-century urban architecture. The use of high-quality materials, such as stone for the rusticated base and smooth stucco for the upper floors, contributes to the building's dignified appearance. The restrained use of ornamentation, combined with the careful attention to proportion and symmetry, reflects the influence of modernist principles that were beginning to take hold in Bucharest during this period.

The building's location in a central area of Bucharest, likely within a historic district, suggests that it was intended to serve as a multi-purpose structure, with commercial spaces on the ground floor and residential or office spaces on the upper floors. This type of mixed-use building was common in European cities during the early 20th century, reflecting the need for efficient use of space in densely populated urban areas. The building's design, with its emphasis on functionality and simplicity, would have been well-suited to the needs of its occupants, while also contributing to the architectural character of the surrounding neighborhood.

In conclusion, the building at Eugeniu Carada 7 is a fine example of early 20th-century urban architecture in Bucharest, characterized by its rational design, restrained ornamentation, and practical use of space. The building reflects the architectural trends of the period, which emphasized functionality and simplicity, while still maintaining a sense of elegance and refinement. The use of high-quality materials, combined with the careful attention to proportion and symmetry, ensures that the building remains a significant piece of Bucharest's architectural heritage. Despite its understated appearance, the building contributes to the overall character of the city, embodying the transition from the ornate styles of the 19th century to the more modern, minimalist designs of the 20th century.

Sursă: https://www.propertyindex.ro/residential/eugeniu-carada-7