Project Feature: “The Bank in the Oaks” Designed by Liollio Founder, D.C. “Jimmy” Liollio
Mez Joseph
Completed in 1968, Citizens & Southern National Bank, also known as “The Bank in the Oaks”, has long been considered one of Mr. Liollio’s best and most thoughtful designs. In many ways, this building was visionary with regard to what he was able to accomplish.
Without removing any vegetation, the building was nestled under an existing canopy of oak trees, providing transparency, shade and sun control for its large window walls. The view was truly spectacular as it faced the avenue of oaks across the street at Historic McLeod Plantation.
This building was also significant, establishing the birth of a style that began to evolve in many of Mr. Liollio’s later designs. Structural features such as folded plate roofs and pre-cast inverted arches that were central to the design of the Bank in the Oaks also appear in many of his later works in the Charleston area.
