First Exchange Bank

• Morgantown, West Virginia
• 4500 SQ. FT.
• Architectural and Design Services
• Project Cost: $1,200,000
• Completed 2022

The renovated First Exchange Bank is a beacon for their business as well as buildings along University Avenue in Morgantown. First Exchange Bank acquired an outdated property that had been vacant for quite some time and wasn’t initially accessibility friendly. What they desired to create was a space that was inviting for their clients and would continue to be a hub on University Avenue, an area they have serviced since 2002.
A primary goal of the renovation was a welcoming and accessible entrance.  The previous main entrance was only accessible via stairs, if a patron needed ramp access, a separate entrance around the side was used.  These discrepancies inevitably created a division between differently abled bodies.  A new vestibule was added to the front of the structure, which encompassed both a ramp and stairs, allowing for all patrons to have the same approach.  Once inside the bank, the teller area was expanded to allow for an open teller pod concept, a notion that prompts a more personable interaction between the teller and the client.  The supporting offices were organized around the tellers’ space for private meetings and additionally a closing room was added to cater to large gatherings.
On the lower level, additional offices were created as well as a modernized break room for employees.  The site got a restructuring also, with the entrance and exit driving lanes now widened to provide easier turning access for vehicular traffic.  The drive-thru area received an upgrade in technology features, including varying height of portals, to support vehicles of differing sizes, along with a new ATM.