At Whittier’s The Groves, first business announces plans to move into repurposed historic building – Whittier Daily News

WHITTIER – A historic building in The Groves is being given new life.

City National Bank announced Tuesday, August 27, that the bank’s newest branch will move into the building that decades ago was the home of deputy warden of the former youth correctional facility Fred C. Nelles – now known as The Groves.

When the move is complete, expected in early 2025, it will be the first company to move into one of the landmark buildings on the Nelles site, a converted sprawling former state-owned youth correctional facility property acquired by Brookfield Residential in 2019.

The site has been largely redeveloped for residential use but also houses businesses. But the bank’s move – opening its first branch in Whittier and its first branch in LA since 2021 – represents a milestone for what local preservationists had long considered a landmark, including the buildings that stood on it.

“It looks like it’s been appropriately restored…that was the intent of our lawsuit,” said Whittier Conservancy President Mary Gorman-Sullens, thrilled to see one of the historic buildings the Conservancy championed years ago repurposed but preserved. “To put some of these incredible historic buildings through adaptive reuse…bravo! We’re happy to see that; hope it thrives.”

The bank will be housed in one of three adapted historic buildings that make up The Groves’ Heritage Court.

The former deputy warden’s apartment, which now houses the bank, was moved from the original correctional facility site to Heritage Court. Next to it is a new building that will serve as a community center that will host events such as home-buying and financial education seminars, officials said.

David Cameron, head of retail banking at City National, said the aim of the new branch was to build links with local businesses, families and entrepreneurs.

“When we chose a location for this new branch, it was important to us to honor Whittier’s history while solidifying our place in the future,” Cameron said at the unveiling Tuesday before a crowd of Whittier residents, bank partners, City Council members and other local leaders.

The history of The Groves site is robust.

The Fred C. Nelles Juvenile Detention Center was home to the oldest school for juvenile offenders in California. After it closed in 2004, the state put it up for sale in 2009 for private development.

Following its acquisition by Brookfield Residential in 2019, The Groves project has now been expanded to include 500 new homes, 200 apartments, as well as restaurants and other shops on 16 acres.

In 2015, the Whittier Conservancy filed a lawsuit against the project. Initially, the preservationists hoped to prevent the sale to Brookfield Residential. In their second lawsuit, they now focused on protecting some of the historic buildings on the site.

In 2017, both parties reached an agreement: Brookfield could begin construction, the Nature Conservancy received $850,000 in settlement funds, and a number of historic buildings on the site would be preserved.

Of the eight buildings they advocated for, four were preserved – the Superintendent’s Building, the Administration Building, the Assistant Superintendent’s House and the Chapel. As a result, City National’s newest branch will be the first business to open in one of the historic buildings.

Other historic buildings, including the chapel and the caretaker’s residence, have all been converted into community and retail facilities.

Due to the uniqueness of the new bank branch building, the stay there will not be comparable to the typical ambience of a bank.

The Whittier branch will not have traditional tellers. Instead, it will have desks where customers can speak with their banking advisors. It is relatively modest in size at 1,600 square feet. The adjacent 600-square-foot community center is also a first for the bank. The two-building facility is the first of its kind for City National, according to Cameron, and reflects the bank’s core values.

“I know a lot of hard work and careful planning went into this branch and I personally can’t wait to see it completed. I like how we’ve maintained the integrity of the old building,” said CEO Howard Hammond. “Hopefully we’ll bring some good karma by serving the community, teaching financial literacy and working with all of you out there.”

According to Bob Larlee, senior vice president of City National Bank, the original plan was to convert the property into a coffee kiosk and restaurant.

Once the bank fully committed to the site, building plans were implemented to meet historic requirements, Larlee said, including designing new interior windows while retaining exterior windows.

Whittier artists will create the artwork inside the bank.

Whittier City Council member Mary Ann Pacheco, who represents the 1st District, which includes The Groves, welcomed City National to Whittier and supported its efforts, which include lending and assistance to first-time home buyers.

“I’m glad to hear that you like to think big and work small,” Pacheco said. “When you focus on the local and on the people you serve, I think you’re bound to make a big difference.”

Officials expect an unofficial opening in December of this year and a grand opening in January 2025.