Brooklyn in Kings County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

HSBC

One Hanson Place

— Williamsburg Savings Bank Building —

Photographed by Jack DePalma, April 30, 2026

1. HSBC Marker

Inscription. HSBC Built in 1927-29 this neo-romanesque style building was designed by the architechtural firm of Balsey, McCormick and Helmer. It was the second building erected by the Williamsburg Savings Bank, one of the oldest financial institutions in Brooklyn. The 512 foot structure is the tallest in Brooklyn with the world's tallest four-faced clock tower. The building features a series of setbacks in the brick and terra-cotta tower accented by limestone trim and topped with a gilded coffer dome.

New York Landmarks Preservation Foundation
1989

Erected 1989 by New York Landmarks Preservation Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Notable Buildings.

Location. 40° 41.115′ N, 73° 58.66′ W. Marker is in Brooklyn, New York, in Kings County. It is at the intersection of Hanson Place and Flatbush Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Hanson Place. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Hanson Place, Brooklyn NY 11243, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is

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in New York City.

It is also in the American Northeast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

the Western Hemisphere,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Did You Know? (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Boerum Hill / Downtown Brooklyn (about 400 feet away); The Shirley A. Chisholm New York State Office Building (about 600 feet away); Brooklyn Academy of Music (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Did You Know? (about 600 feet away); Ebbets Field Flagpole (about 600 feet away); Brooklyn Bronzes (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Did You Know? (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brooklyn.

Regarding HSBC. The Williamsburg Savings Bank building was Brooklyn's tallest structure until surpassed in 2009.

Also see . . . Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower (Wikipedia). (Submitted on May 7, 2026, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)

Photographed by Jack DePalma, April 30, 2026

2. HSBC Marker

Williamsburg Savings Bank 1 Hanson Place image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jack DePalma, April 30, 2026

3. Williamsburg Savings Bank 1 Hanson Place

Side wall of the building.

Photographed by Jack DePalma, April 30, 2026

4. HSBC Marker

Photographed by Jack DePalma, April 30, 2026

5. HSBC Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 30, 2026, by Jack DePalma of Brooklyn,NY, New York. This page has been viewed 21 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 30, 2026, by Jack DePalma of Brooklyn,NY, New York. 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 7, 2026, by Jack DePalma of Brooklyn,NY, New York. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.