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Colonial Bank Headquarters
Architect
Gora/McGahey Associates in Architecture, Inc.
43 Barkley Circle, #202, Fort Myers, FL 33907
www.gora-mcgahey.com
General Description
Location: Fort Myers, Florida
Date Bid: Mar 2007
Construction Period: May 2007 to Apr 2008
Total Square Feet: 26,338 Site: 2.8 acres.
Number of Buildings: One.
Building Size: First floor, 13,457; second floor, 12,881;
total, 26,338 square feet.
Building Height: First floor, 14’; second floor, 12’; total, 26’.
Basic Construction Type: New.
Foundation: Cast-in-place. Exterior Walls: CMU.
Roof: Built-up, metal. Floors: Concrete.
Interior Walls: Metal stud drywall.
Construction Team
Structural Engineer: Bob Rude Structures, Inc. - 3612 Evans
Avenue, Fort Myers, FL 33901
General Contractor: Owen-Ames-Kimball - 11941 Fairway Lakes
Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33913
Electrical & Mechanical Engineer: Wadsworth O’Neal Bacik
Engineers - 6418 Commerce Park Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33912
Landscape Architect: Hole Montes Engineering, Inc. - 6200 Whiskey
Creek Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33919
Colonial Bank is headquartered in Alabama and is the fifth-largest
commercial bank in the state of Florida. This 28,000 square foot
building is the hub of the bank’s Southwest Florida region.
The building is prominently located on the southwest quadrant of the
Interstate 75 and Daniel’s Parkway interchange in Fort Myers, Florida.
In order to achieve greatest exposure and visibility for the bank, the
2-story building was placed closest to the frontage street along I- 75
and parking was arranged behind the building.
The massing of the building organizes the various departments into four
hierarchically proportioned quadrants joined by a strong central axis
that comes together in a light filled atrium. This central space serves
as the reference point for all internal wayfinding and orientation.
Openness and transparency of interior spaces is achieved via large store
fronts and clerestory windows allowing the occupants continued glimpses
of the exterior and further reinforcing orientation at the macro level.
The exterior architectural language recalls the iconography of old
southern mansions with their imposing columns and porticoes expressed in
contemporary materials.
Using traditional proportions, white square pilasters frame large
expanses of blue glass and create a rhythm that travels along the entire
length of the building facade. Round columns bisect the building along
the high vaulted atrium and welcome the visitor into the building,
through the lobby, and out into a circular portico covered by a dramatic
trellis above. Traditional elements such porticos, trellises, and
colonnades have been re-interpreted with a slight modern flair to
express the bank’s vision for moving into the future as a leader in the
banking profession.
Upon entering the lobby, an open mezzanine above offers glimpses of a
second floor and a grand open staircase invites the visitor to the
elegant board room overlooking the highways beyond.
All interior spaces in this building have been designed to complement
the simple exterior architectural expression of pilasters and columns.
The lobby re-creates the rhythm of white pilasters alternating between
wood paneling under a mahogany curvilinear ceiling above. Dark wood
paneling and furniture reinforce an image of stability for this old
southern institution, yet the bank’s more open and friendly tone is
visible in the large expanses of glass, open atrium lobby, and the use
of accent colors in offices, community rooms, and lounge.
A variety of green strategies were incorporated into the design
including proper solar orientation, daylighting, exterior views and
highly efficient air handling systems. Large expanses of high performing
glass flood the interior spaces of the habitable space. The negative
effects of direct solar radiation are mitigated by the use of fixed
sunshading devices. The HVAC System was thoughtfully designed to provide
maximum flexibility and occupant comfort. All electrical and lighting
systems are designed for maximum energy efficiency by using only
fluorescent systems, motion sensors to control interior lights, and time
clocks to control site lighting.
Manufacturers
DIV. 3: Precast: Cast Crete.
DIV. 5: Ornamental: Florida Aluminum.
DIV. 7: Metal: Englert; Built-Up: CertainTeed.
DIV. 9: Curved Linear Wood Ceiling: Norton Industries;
Acoustical Ceiling: Armstrong; Exterior Paint: Sherwin
Williams; Interior: Scuffmaster.
DIV. 14: Elevators: ThyssenKrupp.
DIV. 26: Lighting: Lithonia.
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