Media Blog Chain | Cohn | Clark celebrates new building with special ribbon cutting ceremony

Chain | Cohn | Clark celebrates new building with special ribbon cutting ceremony

October 7, 2015 | Article by Chain | Cohn | Clark staff | At the Firm , Awards & Recognition , News & Media

Chain | Cohn | Clark celebrates new building with special ribbon cutting ceremony

Chain | Cohn | Clark, Bakersfield’s oldest personal injury law firm, held a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house to celebrate its new home that will help better serve clients, while contributing to the ongoing revitalization of downtown Bakersfield.

The ceremony — organized by the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, with support from the Downtown Business Association, North of the River Chamber of Commerce and Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce — was attended by elected officials, representatives from local business and legal offices, and other community members. Among the guests who spoke were Bakersfield Mayor Harvey Hall and Bakersfield city councilman Terry Maxwell.

Attendees heard from David Cohn, managing partner of Chain | Cohn | Clark, who described the new building as an intentional effort to make Bakersfield a better place for residents and clients.

“This move came at a special time, as we celebrated our 80th anniversary,” Cohn told the dozens of guests in attendance. “We hope this new office will better serve our clients, and will help in the ongoing revitalization of downtown Bakersfield. And we look forward to serving Kern County for another 80 years.”

Guests also got a chance to tour the newly renovated building — at 1731 Chester Ave. — while learning a little more about the new building, the remodel and its history. Several televisions throughout the law firm office displayed a video of the law firm, taken via drone, which you can view by clicking here.

Here are a few of the interesting facts:

  • 30,000 square feet occupied most recently by Goodwill Industries of South Central California.
  • Sixth-month, seven-figure renovation. Features include motion sensor LED lighting throughout, and high-tech energy efficient HVAC system with more than 20 thermostats.
  • Chain | Cohn | Clark takes up the entire first floor: 10,000 square feet, 18 offices, four conference rooms and several open work stations.
  • Second floor is available for lease. Basement is used for law firm storage and files, and game room!
  • This building has views of most of the previous law firm homes since 1934: Haberfelde (1934-1938), Sill Building (1938-1970) and most recently Bank of America (1990-2015).
  • 5 new windows were cut from the 17-inch concrete on the north-facing wall. Each slab of concrete weighed 20,000 pounds.
  • Kern Valley Bank held a grand opening in this location on July 6, 1889. The next day, the great Bakersfield fire destroyed the building. It was rebuilt immediately after.
  • Anglo-California Bank opened at this location on Aug. 11, 1938, designed by Bakersfield architect Charles H. Biggar. Perhaps the only remaining featured from this building is the demarcation on the roof.
  • The building was remodeled on Aug. 4, 1954 by Anglo California National Bank, bringing much of the exterior to what is it today. Other bank tenants over the years include Crocker National Bank, Wells Fargo and Washington Mutual.
  • Still remaining in this building are three bank vaults: one on the first floor’s south end, and two in the basement.
  • Our inside and outside sign lights can be changed colors to honor various holidays/observations.

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MEDIA COVERAGE

PREVIOUS MEDIA COVERAGE ON THE NEW BUILDING