As an important center of Buffalo's financial community, the Erie County Savings Bank marked the lower section of the commercial district. The other structures surrounding the square include Sullivan's Prudential Building, Burnham's Ellicott Square Building, and Upjohn's St. Paul's Cathedral. The Erie County Savings Bank was demolished in 1968.

An Historical Sketch of the Erie County Savings Bank written in 1909, pp. 63-74, included the following notes on the original plan and construction of the building: "The banking house is on a triangular lot, and is nine stories high on Main Street side and ten on the Pearl Street side, exclusive of attic and cellar. The second story is mezzanine, above this are seven stories for offices. The original plans provided for 145 offices, some of which have since been joined into suites. Base lines of the building measure 157' on both Niagara and Church Streets, 147 on Pearl, and 47 on Main enclosing an area of about 17,000 square feet. The main entrance is on Niagara Street; the structure is recessed above the entrance, thus all offices look out on a street. There are no back offices. The main entrance has a pillared archway, is surmounted by a balustrade flanked by bronze lions."

A commercial building erected at the peak of New Bedford's prosperity, which is a rare extant example of Italian Renaissance influence on mid-nineteenth century American architecture. Originally built for the New Bedford Institution for Savings. From 1897 to about 1940 or 1950 used by the Third District Court, presumably owned by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, then purchased by Johnson's Inc for use as a automobile parts and machine shop.

A commercial building forming part of the old waterfront district of New Bedford, designed by Russell Warren in the form of a Greek Ionic temple. North half built for and owned by the Mechanics Bank; south half built for and owned by the Merchants Bank. In the early 1890's both banks moved out of the building.

While one architect, Russell Warren, designed the building, two different builders built it. Robert Chase built the north half and Dudley Davenport built the south half.