Independence Bank will open its signature location in St. Matthews on Tuesday, and we got an early look.

If you’ve been through this area of town during the last year or so, you’ve probably noticed it.

It’s the approximately 8,000-square-foot homage of Independence Hall near the intersection of Shelbyville and Westport Roads.

Owensboro, Ky.-based Independence Bank is new to the Louisville market. It has built similar facilities in Owensboro, Bowling Green, Paducah, Frankfort, Mayfield, Madisonville and Murray. The St. Matthews project was about a $10 million investment for the company. The bank also is planning a second location in Middletown. A third location is being considered as well, but Market President Louis Straub wasn’t ready to say where just yet.

Owensboro architect George Collignon designed the bank’s first three-story signature building in Owensboro. Owensboro, Ky.-based Axiom Architecture was the architect for this location. Calhoun Construction Services Inc., of Louisville, led by John Hinshaw, was the general contractor for the building, and local subcontractors were used for portions of the construction.

In Louisville, Independence Bank has hired five commercial bankers, three treasury officers, four consumer bankers and support staff. Key team members include Straub; Jimmy Evans, head of commercial banking; and John Shaver, senior vice president and commercial loan officer. Straub said the bank plans to focus on small business loans as it builds its presence in Louisville but will offer retail banking, too.

There’s a personal connection for Straub as well. Years ago, Bank of St. Matthews was at this location. Straub’s great uncle, Karl Straub, was president of that bank during the early 1950s. Since then, the site also has been home to St. Matthews Hardware and Gross Diamond Co.

Though the building is new, it has a few nods to St. Matthews history.

For instance, the stained glass in the lobby ceiling features historical and well-known buildings in St. Matthews, such as Trinity High School, the Vogue Theatre building, the Ursuline Sisters building. It was made by Lynchburg Stained Glass Co. in Virginia. The clock tower was made by Campbellsville Industries in Kentucky, which bills itself as “the steeple people.”

When we visited earlier this week, there was still quite a bit of construction taking place. In spite of that, Straub said it will open on Monday, Nov. 13. Grand opening celebrations are planned for next week.