Bank breaks ground on Venice office

Venice, Fla., March 27, 2021 – Englewood Bank & Trust held a groundbreaking ceremony at the site of its new Venice office, 207 Tamiami Trail South and 116 Miami Ave., on Tuesday, March 23. The bank has operated a loan and trust production office at 341 Miami Ave. West since 2013. Organized by the contractor, J2 Solutions, Inc. of Venice, the event featured remarks by several of the parties involved and an earth-moving ceremony with shovels and hard hats.

“We are excited to expand our loan and trust production office into a full-service banking center,” said bank President Kevin Hagan. “I think it’s a great opportunity for all of us to grow and be part of this community. I also want to thank a lot of people who helped us throughout this process, including city employees, city council, and volunteer architectural review committees.”

The new office will be a two-story, 4,217-square-foot structure. As a full-service branch, it will offer consumer, commercial and real estate loans, checking and savings accounts, full trust and investment management services, and more. The branch will be chartered by the State of Florida and insured by the FDIC.

“We’re very excited about having a larger presence here,” said Michael Aloian, president of Trust and Investment Services. “We’ve been here for about 10 years we have an office right here on Miami Avenue that has served area residents and professionals with their estate-planning and investment-planning needs. This new building will help us establish an even bigger local presence.”

“On behalf of the Chamber, we want to say thank you for truly investing into the Venice area,” said Kathy Lehner, president and CEO of the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce. “I know you’ve been here, but putting down a true foundation makes you a major part of Venice.”

Since the location is in the heart of Historic Downtown Venice, there will be no drive-thru banking lanes, although the bank will feature a walk-up ATM. Plans had to be approved by the Venetian Theme Architectural Control District, a division of the city’s Architectural Review Board.

The Lawson Group Architects, based at Lakewood Ranch in Sarasota, is a highly experienced team of architects, construction experts, innovative thinkers, and project developers. Lead architect Fernando Ramirez Jr., vice president of design, planning and construction, said he patterned his plans after the Northern Italian Renaissance architectural style, ensuring that the new building is compatible with the visual character of Venice.

”We we knew that the bank wanted a two-story building ,” he said, “so we just wanted to incorporate some of the Venetian aspects with columns outside and decorative sills and cap flashing in the windows.”

J2 Solutions is an award-winning construction management firm. Jess Fronckowiak is the owner and president.

J2 Project Manager Paul Archacki addressed the crowd at the groundbreaking: “It is an honor for us to be involved in this project and to help Englewood Bank & Trust write a new chapter in their story. We appreciate being an integral part in making the bank’s dreams and plans come to fruition and making that dream a reality.”

Construction is anticipated to be completed by year’s end. The site is located on the southeast corner of Miami Avenue and Tamiami Trail. The proposed bank is near Cassata Square, a commercial development that will feature a Prime Serious Steak restaurant.

ABOUT THE BANK: Englewood Bank & Trust is part of the Crews Banking Corporation, a family-owned-and-operated Florida bank holding company providing local financial services for more than 90 years. Now in its fourth generation of family leadership, it remains dedicated to delivering world-class service to every customer, every time. The corporation’s system of premier community banks also includes Crews Bank & Trust, Charlotte State Bank & Trust, and Wauchula State Bank.