Trustmark Medical Mall

Formerly First National Bank, the Trustmark Medical Mall branch is located at the intersection of Woodrow Wilson Drive and Bailey Avenue. It was originally constructed in 1969 alongside Jackson’s first indoor mall, The Jackson Mall. Both experienced great prosperity until the early 1980’s when new malls in the area drew retailers away.

In 1995, thanks to the vision of a group of local leaders, the Jackson Mall became a center for medicine and related fields known as the Jackson Medical Mall. Its intent was to serve the surrounding community and the city of Jackson. In an effort to support the revitalization of the community, Trustmark National Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas awarded 2 Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grants to the Jackson Medical Mall Foundation (JMMF) totaling $260,000. The grants will help the JMMF provide new housing for low-income, first-time home buyers. Once Trustmark facilitated the grants for the community development, they committed to renovating their Medical Mall branch in order to show support for the renewal effort.

The original design of the bank by Hester & Brady Architects (Jackson, MS) was typical of the time. Concrete, plaster, and glass were primary materials, but the visual weight of the building was reduced using deep overhangs and cantilevered plaster canopies. The floor plan was based on a strict 4-foot grid that could be seen in every element of the building from control joints in the concrete outside to wood trim on the pyramid ceiling in the lobby.

“Our goal was to maintain the design intent of the original architect while updating the facility to meet the contemporary needs of Trustmark Bank,” said Chris Myers, the project architect. The renovation included relocating the teller line for security and convenience, updating finishes and spatial organization, and replacing lighting and mechanical systems to provide a brighter and more comfortable space. In addition, the area surrounding the building was reworked for ADA compliance and to adapt to new business growth in the adjacent lots.