First National in Olean, NY | Savarino Companies

First National | Olean

Architect: Johnson-Schmidt & Associates, Architects

Owner: Manny Hanny Development Co.

Project Start: 2013

Project Completion: 2016

Location: Link

Savarino served as developer and builder for the historic renovation of the long-vacant 1915 First National Bank building and the adjacent former Siegel’s Shoes building in downtown Olean.

The ten-story First National structure—locally known as the “Manny Hanny Building” for its former occupant, Manufacturers’ Hanover Bank—houses 21 market-rate apartments on floors two through ten. The former bank lobby and mezzanine were repurposed for commercial, event, and arts-related uses.

Project funding included federal and New York State Historic Tax Credits, federal New Market Tax Credits, a Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant from Empire State Development, and private financing.