The True Media building was named one of Columbia's Most Notable Properties at a ceremony hosted by the City of Columbia Historic Preservation Commission. This is the "youngest" building selected by the Commission as Mid-Century Modern architecture becomes more recognized by historians.
Built in 1971 for the Columbia National Bank, this building offers a highly intact example of the New Formalist style of architecture, a subtype of the Modern Movement of the mid-century. It combines classical proportions with creative uses of modern materials.
The monumental scale of the exterior is echoed by the interior layout, which features a spacious two-story banking room which originally contained ten teller stations and a large safety deposit vault. A large spiral staircase and a curving balcony provided access to the second floor spaces and a sweeping view of the grand banking room.
Columbia National Bank eventually became Commerce Bank and sold the property to Jack Miller of True Media in 2012. He began a restoration of the building, preserving the large front windows, the open ground floor, and the curving staircase. The original vault now serves as a conference room.
This building joins other Business Loop properties recognized as Columbia's Most Notable including Calvary Cemetery, an African-American cemetery located at 1217 Business Loop W; the former Columbia Municipal Airport, now Cosmo Park; the Municipal Power Plant; and the former Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, the first cancer hospital west of the Mississippi.
Congratulations to Jack Miller and True Media!
