In 1965, Central National Bank decided to build a new headquarters on the flank of the Erieview Plan (created by architect I.M. Pei). Central National Bank was one of Cleveland's largest banks of the 1960s. With growth in banking, Central National Bank needed space for a new tower. In 1966, demolition of the 6-floor Ellington Apartments (which had caught fire in 1960) began. In 1967, ground was broken for the 23-story red bricked edifice. It was designed by Charles Luckman of the New York City-based The Luckman Partnership architectural firm. In 1969, the Central National Bank Tower officially opened.
