Renovated DMI Companies headquarters historic place
CHARLEROI - A century-old downtown building is now considered to be a historic landmark - thanks to the commitment of a local company.
The former First National Bank Building, now the headquarters of DMI Companies, has been awarded landmark status by the National Register of Historic Places.
DMI President Raymond W. Yeager invited U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, D-Upper St. Clair, to tour the renovated building Friday and celebrate its historic distinction.
"I think this illustrates the commitment we have to the community," Yeager said.
When DMI purchased the building in 2002, Yeager, then vice president of international operation, announced the company's plans to renovate the building in keeping with its rich history.
Since then, the structure's marble interior, antique elevator and the original woodwork have been restored to their original beauty and function.
Yeager said the project cost about $1.5 million.
"We could have moved to Southpointe or built a new building," Yeager said. "But we chose to stay in the community."
He explained the company and its board of directors decided when they purchased the building to seek historic landmark status. But it was a process that took five years, a lot of money and hard work.
"There was a lot of criteria that needed to be met and improved," Yeager explained.
According to a press release issued by DMI, the structure was built in 1889 as the Wilbur Hotel, a hub of political and social activity.
From 1911 to 1915, the foreign-born, minor league baseball player-turned-governor of Pennsylvania - John K. Tener - ran his campaign and career from the Wilbur Hotel.
In 1897, Tener became a cashier of the First National Bank of Charleroi, and in 1901 became the bank president.
In 1920, the Wilbur Hotel was converted to the First National Bank of Charleroi, adapting the suites into business offices and adding recognizable architectural elements - including engravings that remain above the door.
Yeager fondly remembers when the company first opened the offices at the new location. Many people wandered in hoping to reopen checking accounts.
"They though the bank was re-opened for business," Yeager said.
Indeed, the lobby still has the ambiance of a bank, as the vault is a reminder of the past.
A long, winding, narrow staircase leads to upstairs offices. While the offices are equipped for today's business needs, they still have the original woodwork on the doors and other intricate details kept from the original layout.
Yeager said the company had to leap many hurdles for variances and zoning permits to keep areas of the building, including a wooden staircase, in its design.
The building accommodates 50 employees, adding to the downtown business community, Yeager said.
DMI has contributed to the revitalization of the downtown area in line with plans laid out by the Charleroi Area Historical Society and the Main Street organization.
"By simply choosing to move its corporate offices into an unused building in the middle of the Charleroi business district, the local economy and appearance have been given a much-needed boost," according to the company press release.
By seeking National Register of Historic Places status, Yeager said the company hopes its corporate center in the old bank will continue to be as valuable to Charleroi's downtown area as the building has been throughout the borough's history.
