A HISTORIC JOURNEY
Factory Point National Bank
Building 4928 Main Street
After visiting the historic Depot Station , proceed westward on Depot Street , then turn right onto Center Hill Road . If travelling on foot , continue on Center Hill Road until it turns into Main Street . If travelling by car , turn right onto Park Place off of Center Hill Road , then make a left onto Main Street . After continuing for several blocks , you will come across the Factory Point National Bank Building on your left . The Factory Point National Bank Building recently underwent an extensive renovation . It has been rebuilt as a multi-purpose structure that wonderfully combines historic architecture with modern aesthetics . Reborn as “ Factory Point Place ,” the building now features blue clapboard walls , dentil molding , and a prominent cornice . It houses Spring & Harbor Boutique and Union Underground , and is also home to several gorgeous private residences .
80 manchester life | manchesterlifemagazine . com
The first structure that stood in the same place as the Factory Point Bank Building was constructed in 1815 . In the late 19th century , Emerson Estabrook converted the third floor into an opera house . He then opened Estabrook ’ s Opera House in 1884 . After a tragic fire burnt the entire structure down to the ground in 1893 , it was rebuilt and reopened to the public in 1896 . The Union Opera House then opened on the second floor of the building , which was used by the local community as a public performance space and gathering hall for nearly half a century . The Union Opera House hosted both local musical productions and high-profile artistic events , and also served as a meeting place for esteemed social clubs , such as the Ondawa Club ( whose members included Orvis Fly Fishing & Tackle Company founder Charles Orvis and acclaimed Vermont poet and author Walter R . Hard ), the Masonic Hall for Adoniram Lodge # 42 , and the Order of Eastern Star .
In 1896 , the Factory Point Bank opened in the basement and first floor of the same building as the Union
Opera House . Robert Todd Lincoln was one of the bank ’ s longstanding customers , and their clientele list also included many successful local business owners and industrial magnates . In 1972 , the bank purchased the entire building in order to expand its operations . The Main Street branch in downtown Manchester served as Factory Point Bank ’ s main corporate headquarters until 2007 , when the company was acquired by Berkshire Bank . In 2012 , Berkshire Bank vacated the building and moved down to a new location on Main Street . After remaining unoccupied for two years , the Factory Point Bank Building was purchased by Stephen and Bill Drunsic in 2014 , who envisioned a flourishing future for downtown Manchester ’ s historic Factory Point district . “ The Drunsics ’ efforts to repurpose the building with a nod towards its history are a testament to their commitment to Manchester and its Main Street historic district ,” says Manchester Historical Society ’ s Curator Shawn Harrington . “ It ’ s a beautiful building with a compelling story behind it .”