You’ve seen the photos. If you have ever scrolled through a gallery of Washington, D.C.’s most imposing architecture, or even just walked down Pennsylvania Avenue with a camera in hand, you’ve likely captured the massive granite columns of the old Riggs National Bank building. Most people know it now as a former PNC branch, but it’s honestly much more than just a place where people used to cash checks.
It’s a literal piece of the $10 bill. Seriously.
The "Bank of Presidents" at 1503 Pennsylvania Avenue NW is probably one of the most photographed financial structures in America. But searching for pnc bank washington photos today brings up a mix of classic Greek-revival architecture and something entirely new. As of late 2025 and moving into 2026, those cold, marble teller lines have been replaced by a $500 million museum experience.
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The Building That Faked Being One
One thing that confuses everyone—and you can see it clearly in aerial photos—is that the "PNC Bank" on the corner isn't actually one building. It’s a bit of a trick. The structure at 1503 Pennsylvania Avenue was the Riggs National Bank, finished in 1902. Right next to it, at 1501, is the American Security and Trust Company building, finished in 1905.
They look like twins. Both were designed by York & Sawyer. Both have those soaring Ionic columns. Because they are so perfectly aligned, most tourists take a photo and think it’s one giant fortress of money. It’s not.
Riggs was the one that handled the "big" stuff. We're talking about the financing for the Mexican-American War and the actual check used to buy Alaska from Russia in 1868. When you look at old black-and-white pnc bank washington photos from the Library of Congress, you’re looking at the place where Abraham Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt kept their change.
Why the Interior Photos Look Different Now
If you try to go in there today to find an ATM, you’re going to be disappointed. Or maybe pleasantly surprised.
The site has been transformed into the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream (MCAAD). It officially opened its doors in September 2025. This is why recent photos of the interior don’t show bank vaults and velvet ropes anymore. Instead, they show the "Tree of Generations."
It’s a massive, three-story multimedia sculpture. It has over 1,000 OLED "leaves" that glow with digital images. Honestly, it’s a bit of a trip to see high-tech digital screens inside a room that was built when people still rode horses to work.
The restoration was intense. They spent 12 years on it. They kept the original 1920s-era stained glass and the "laylight"—that’s the fancy architectural term for the glass ceiling that lets in natural light. If you’re a photographer, the way the light hits the marble floors around 2:00 PM is basically perfect.
The $10 Bill Connection
Here is a fun fact most people get wrong. For over 75 years, the back of the U.S. ten-dollar bill featured the U.S. Treasury building. If you look at the very right-hand side of that engraving on older bills, you can see the corner of the Riggs building (the former PNC).
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It’s one of the few private buildings to ever make it onto American paper currency.
What You’ll Actually Find at 1503 Pennsylvania Ave
If you are planning to take your own pnc bank washington photos or just visit, here is the current reality of the space:
- The Hall of Generations: This is the main room. It used to be the banking lobby. Now it houses the digital tree and the "Word Cloud" chandelier.
- Hologram Ambassadors: They have these lifelike AI holograms of people like Sara Blakely and Sanjay Gupta. You can actually talk to them. It feels very sci-fi in a very old-school setting.
- The Architecture: The exterior is white granite. It’s meant to look like a Roman temple. This wasn't an accident. In the early 1900s, banks wanted to look "permanent" so people wouldn't worry about their money disappearing.
- The View: If you stand on the steps and look south, you are staring directly at the U.S. Treasury. Turn your head slightly, and there’s the White House.
Practical Advice for Photographers and Visitors
The building is free to enter, but it’s a ticketed experience now. You should probably book online before you show up.
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Since it’s located in a high-security zone (literally across from the White House), don’t bring big tripods or huge bags. Security will stop you before you can even say "f-stop." Use a wide-angle lens if you want to capture the scale of the columns, but honestly, your phone’s "Portrait" mode will do wonders with the natural light coming through the ceiling.
The best shots aren't of the front. Walk around to the side alley. You can see the contrast between the original 1902 stone and the 1924 addition designed by Appleton P. Clark Jr. It’s a cool lesson in how D.C. grew up.
This isn't just a "PNC Bank" anymore. It’s a weird, beautiful hybrid of 19th-century power and 21st-century tech. Whether you're there for the history or just a cool Instagram shot, it's one of the few places in Washington where you can actually feel the weight of all that history while standing under a digital tree.
Next Steps for Your Visit:
- Check the Schedule: The Center is currently operating on a seasonal schedule (usually Thursday through Monday).
- Reserve Tickets: Go to the MCAAD website to grab a free timed-entry pass.
- Travel Light: Avoid large backpacks to breeze through the security screening at the Pennsylvania Avenue entrance.