Federal Land Bank
FEDERAL LAND BANK
James W. Plachck, Architect, 1938
ELS Architects, 1999
The Farm Credit Administration built this structure to house federal agricultural banking
and financial agencies. including one of the l2 Federal Land Banks that assisted Depression-
era furthers. Features of the Moderne-style building include a gateway and an entrance court
at the west elevation and distinctive zigzag stair towers. Inside and out, the structure reflects
the era‘s focus on creating public buildings that were useful, attractive, and affordable. The
modest lobby is notable for its Art Deco detailing,
One of the two major entrances faced west in anticipation of the creation of a civic center
park. In 1940 Berkeley voters passed a bond issue for development of the present park.
In 1976 the building was pin-chased by the City of Berkeley to house municipal offices
Renamed the Martin Luther King. In Civic Center Building in 1983. it was
seismically retrofitted in 1999. In keeping with architect Plachek's original
plans, a partial sixth floor was added.