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The Menlo Park Planning Commission unanimously approved Citibank’s new proposal for a branch at on El Camino Real on May 18 after it previously told the international banking conglomerate to reconsider its design choices.
Citibank first applied on Feb. 23 to remodel the former First Republic Bank site at 1215 El Camino Real at the corner of Oak Grove Avenue. But the commission rejected that proposal a month later, calling its bright white tile exterior “jarring.”
Architect Jeffrey Schmierer said he brought the commission’s concerns to Citibank, which agreed to modify the design.
The updated plans replace the white tile with beechwood-colored brick and swaps blue aluminum panels for glass with a blue backing. The proposal added a champagne-colored metal trim to soften the transition between materials, along with additional landscaping and exterior lighting intended to give the building a “soft glow.”
Commissioners said they appreciated Citibank’s willingness to adjust its plans to better fit the city’s aesthetic.
“I think that the changes in material and design, as well as the additional landscaping, nicely responded to our feedback last time, which was to directionally soften the look and feel,” Commissioner Jennifer Schindler said at the meeting.
One aspect Citibank didn’t change was its signage: The commission had asked Citibank to reduce the proposed 24-inch tall lettering to 18 inches, which is Menlo Park’s standard.
Instead, Citibank submitted additional renderings intending to justify the larger size and said that other downtown banks have signage exceeding 18 inches.
Architect Schmierer said some of the planning commissioners’ original concerns were partially due to the previous renderings, which did not accurately represent the materials and lighting quality. The new renderings, which now include what the branch would look like at night, are more faithful to the planned look and should ease the commission’s concerns, he said.
Citibank’s parent company Citigroup declined to comment.
