Continental Bank Building

The Continental Bank Building is a historic 13-story commercial building in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah. Constructed in 1923, it was designed by architect George W. Kelham and developed after a banking merger associated with James E. Cosgriff. The building occupies the former site of the National Bank of the Republic and reflects Salt Lake City's early twentieth-century commercial growth and expanding financial sector. Architecturally, the building combines Second Renaissance Revival elements at its lower levels with a more utilitarian treatment on the upper stories. Its first two floors provide the principal decorative expression, while the higher floors are comparatively restrained. A modest classical cornice completes the facade. This combination of a more formal base and practical upper stories was characteristic of commercial high-rise construction during the period. The building's institutional history is connected to the Cosgriff banking family. James E. Cosgriff controlled the banking interests involved in the merger that led to the building's development. Following his death in 1938, his son Walter E. Cosgriff eventually became president of the bank, extending the family's association with the property and its banking operations. In 1999, the building became home to Kimpton Hotel Monaco, marking a substantial change in use from commercial banking premises to hospitality. The structure is therefore significant both as a surviving historic office and financial building and as an example of adaptive reuse in downtown Salt Lake City. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, having been added on December 27, 1982. In its hotel era, the property has also been associated with the Hotel Monaco identity and the Bambara restaurant.

The Continental Bank Building was developed during a period of rapid commercial and financial growth in Salt Lake City. Its site had previously been occupied by the National Bank of the Republic. Following a merger of banking interests controlled by James E. Cosgriff, plans were made for a new high-rise commercial structure that would represent the consolidated institution and its place in the city's downtown business district. Architect George W. Kelham designed the building in 1922, and construction was completed in 1923. The resulting structure rises 13 stories and uses an eclectic architectural vocabulary. The lower two floors incorporate Second Renaissance Revival features, giving the entrance and base a more formal and ornamented appearance. Above them, the facade becomes more restrained and utilitarian, reflecting the practical requirements of multi-story commercial offices. A modest classical cornice provides a defined termination at the roofline. The building remained associated with banking interests linked to the Cosgriff family. James E. Cosgriff died in 1938. His son, Walter E. Cosgriff, later became president of the bank, continuing the family's institutional connection with the building. The property consequently represents both a physical stage in the development of Salt Lake City's financial district and the history of a locally important banking network. The Continental Bank Building was recognized for its historical and architectural importance when it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 27, 1982. Its preservation status reflects the significance of the building's design, age, downtown location, and association with the city's commercial history. A major transition occurred in 1999, when the building became home to Kimpton Hotel Monaco. The change converted the former banking and office property into a hospitality destination while retaining the historic exterior and overall identity of the structure. The hotel use illustrates the adaptive reuse of an older downtown commercial building and helped maintain the property as an active part of Salt Lake City's central business and visitor economy. The hotel property has also been associated with Bambara restaurant. The building is now commonly identified through both its historic name, Continental Bank Building, and its later Hotel Monaco identity.

1. 1999Adaptive reuse as Hotel Monaco

   The historic commercial building became home to Kimpton Hotel Monaco, transitioning from its original banking and office role to hospitality use.

   Source
2. 1982Added to the National Register of Historic Places

   The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 27, recognizing its architectural and commercial-historical significance.

   Source
3. 1938James E. Cosgriff dies

   James E. Cosgriff, whose banking interests were associated with the development of the building, died. His son Walter E. Cosgriff later became president of the bank.

   Source
4. 1923Construction is completed

   The Continental Bank Building was completed as a 13-story commercial and banking structure in downtown Salt Lake City.

   Source
5. 1922George W. Kelham designs the building

   Architect George W. Kelham prepared the design for the planned 13-story commercial building on the former National Bank of the Republic site.

   Source

A preserved downtown Salt Lake City landmark whose identity has evolved from an early twentieth-century banking and office building into a historic adaptive-reuse hotel property.

• Continental Bank BuildingHistoric commercial building1923

  The original 13-story commercial building completed in 1923. Designed by George W. Kelham, it features Second Renaissance Revival elements on the first two floors, more utilitarian upper stories, and a modest classical cornice. The structure is recognized as an important historic component of downtown Salt Lake City and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

• Hotel MonacoHotel1999

  The building's later hospitality identity. Since 1999, the historic structure has housed Kimpton Hotel Monaco, using adaptive reuse to convert a former banking and commercial property into hotel accommodation in downtown Salt Lake City.

• BambaraRestaurant

  A restaurant associated with the Hotel Monaco property. Available reference material identifies Bambara as a restaurant connected with the building's hotel-era use.

• 1999Adaptive reuse for hospitalityStrategy

  The former banking and commercial building had historic significance and occupied a central downtown site.

  What changed. The property was converted for hotel use and became home to Kimpton Hotel Monaco.

  Aftermath. The reuse preserved the building as an active downtown property while giving it a new hospitality function.

  Source

1. Continental Bank Building (Salt Lake City)
2. Hotel Monaco Salt Lake City