Jonathan Cohen's photos with the keyword: Central National Bank Building

Built as the St. Marc Hotel in 1860. In 1887 the Central National Bank assumed ownership of the hotel and commissioned architect Alfred B. Mullett to design the addition on the west facade. The addition included the two corner towers. The St. Marc Hotel was established in 1855 by John H. Semmes. It became one of the foremost hotels in Washington. Under Semmes’ proprietorship, rooms at the St. Marc rented for $1-$2 per night for a single room and $2-$3 for a double room. H. C. Bowers secured a lease from Semmes in 1879 after which he completely remodeled and refurnished the building. John F. Fitzgerald became the proprietor of the hotel in 1885 and remained with it until the building was purchased by The Central National Bank in 1887. A commercial guide to Washington published in 1887 noted the St. Marc’s "... elegant apportionments, fine cuisine, and unsurpassed location, being in close proximity to several lines of streetcars and the center of the business part of the city." After weathering the long decline of downtown Washington, the building was renovated in 1984 by Sears, Roebuck, and Co., as headquarters for its Sears World Trade arm. Sears added a story on top of the building but otherwise generally restored the exterior to its original appearance, with the exception that they decided to paint the brownstone an odd mocha color that it still retains today. The exterior bearing walls of the building and the vertical circulation shaft are structurally sound, as are the basement and first floors. All upper floors have major structural damage. Wall, ceiling and floor finishes become progressively more deteriorated as one reaches the upper floors of the building.

The late Victorian-style Dorothy I. Height Building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1860, it operated as the St. Marc Hotel. It was purchased by the Central National Bank, and the west front was renovated in 1887, to the designs of noted architect Alfred B. Mullett. In 1945, the ground floor was leased by the Apex Liquor store. In 1984, it was renovated by Sears. The building now serves as the headquarters of the National Council of Negro Women. It has been renamed to honour the memory of Dorothy Irene Height, the educator, administrator and social activist who headed the council for more than forty years.