The new bank tower is opening soon, and the reconstruction of the old Security Bank Tower will have luxury studio, one- and two-bedroom, and penthouse apartments.

The history of the building goes back to the early 1970s. Security Bank was a local, fast-growing bank, with a modest two-story headquarters on Dix-Toledo in Lincoln Park. It was decided to build a 12-story building in Southgate to house the expanding bank’s offices.

The new 12-story tower opened in 1973. A modern branch office was located on the first floor. A barbershop and gift shop were also in the main lobby. The basement was the location of a giant vault and a large room of safe deposit boxes.

The new building, located on Trenton Road, became the tallest building between Detroit and Toledo.

Over the years, office space was leased to other tenants. When the Southern Wayne County Chamber of Commerce was a tenant, its Christmas parties were the “place to be”. And the Security Bank Christmas tree lights were a Christmas tradition for years, seen for miles every night.

Other notable tenants were attorneys Sam Bernstein and John Gilhool, Downriver SWAT, Henry Ford Health Center and Starlite Electric.

The building has been the home of four banks:
Security Bank: 1973-1993
First of America: 1993-1998
National City: 1998-2010
PNC Bank: 2010-2016

The three banks after Security had main offices in other parts of the country and didn’t need all the office space, and the building was eventually sold. The banks did maintain a branch office through 2016, when PNC finally moved out.

The building has been empty since then.