This building was designed by New York architect William Emerson (1873-1957) and built in 1906. He should not be confused with William Ralph Emerson (1833-1917), also an architect who practiced in Boston and was a cousin of Ralph Waldo Emerson; he was known as the “Father of Shingle Style Architecture.” William Emerson studied at Harvard College and was trained in architecture at Columbia University; he later served as the first dean of the School of Architecture at MIT. Emerson’s great uncle was Ralph Waldo Emerson, the American essayist, lecturer, and poet.

Hello!
I'm Head of Marketing for The Provident Loan Society of NY. Yes, indeed, we're still there on 72nd street, still open, we're still America's only not-for-profit pawnshop and you're welcome to pop in and have a look. It looks stern, but the people inside are very nice.

I have a request. Our records on the history of this building in the early part of the century (before we bought it), are kind of spotty. Does anyone have more information on 19th Ward Bank? We bought the building from Security Bank of NY in 1914. If anybody knows more we'd LOVE to hear it!

Scott Watson
Provident Loan Society of NY

New York Times article here.

Where cash goes to die.

The building still stands and when Googling The Provident Loan Society, they list a branch at 180 East 72 St. So it's still be there albeit with a slightly different number. The block can't have too many indigents residing there, it is one of, if not the most expensive streets in the city. Our Mayor Bloomberg, high up on the list of World Billionaires lives on East 72nd Street about a block or so further east.

["Slightly different number"? The bank's address has always been 180 East 72nd. - Dave]

Here it is. Still there.