Banking:
NBRS - Elkton Branch

New branch prototype streamlines operations and creates brand identity

Upon completion of a successful "extreme makeover" transforming a Wawa convenience store into NBRS's second branch in Harford County, Architectural Design Works, Inc. (ADW) was commissioned to design a prototype branch to accommodate NBRS's aggressive growth plans.

NBRS recognized the area's growing need for additional, convenient, bank branches and personal service. To meet this demand, they secured a pad site on a busy interstate just outside of the exploding city of Elkton, MD. This site, positioned just in front of a soon to be constructed community shopping center, is on the way to the tourist destination, Chesapeake City. The prototype branch announces its location with a tower entry element and covered porch colonnade with benches and flower urns. The angled entry vestibule provides a view of the column-lined teller counter and a feature logo wall, in addition to a small glass-enclosed conference area and a check writing counter conveniently located on your way to the tellers. The ceiling of the lobby is elegantly up-lit with concealed lighting behind crown molding. Coin rooms are located next to the vault and are in sight of the tellers and the Branch Manager.

Returning outside, the branch features a beige split-face base, matching brick, and an architectural-grade asphalt shingle that incorporates a granular "teal" to match other buildings already on-site. The structure features two drive-through teller lanes and a drive-through ATM. The Design Team and Contractor, RTM Enterprises, Inc., had numerous challenges, including a pad site that was two feet lower than articulated on landlord site plans. In the final analysis, this has been NBRS's most successful of (currently) five branches and continues to exceed corporate projections.