Savings Bank of Victoria Flinders St branch, 520-522 Flinders Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
Archives
Total copies: 1
Title:
Savings Bank of Victoria Flinders St branch, 520-522 Flinders Street, Melbourne
Creator:
Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 103991
Level of description:
Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)
Type of materials:
Graphic materialsTextual material
Part of:
Series: Central City (BIF-CITY)
Access restrictions:
UnrestrictedOpen access.
Use restrictions:
UnrestrictedPlease contact City of Melbourne Libraries about obtaining permission to reproduce images.
General notes:
RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER 2021:Style: Neo-BaroquePeriod: EdwardianDATE: 1912 (refaced);ASSOCIATIONS: Melbourne Saving Bank Commissioners 1912, Inglis , Smith and Co ship chandlers;DESIGNER: Smith, Sydney & Ogg? D'Ebro, Charles? 1912IMAGE: https://flic.kr/p/2mi3QFu.GRAEME BUTLER & ASSOCIATES 2011, CENTRAL CITY (HODDLE GRID) HERITAGE REVIEWStatement of SignificanceWhat is significant?This former State Savings Bank building, was reconstructed in 1912-13 as a two storey banking premises from a two storey brick and stone waterfront store. Part of the axed bluestone façade has become visible at the western corner and stone quoining remains on the rear elevation.In the 1850s The site faced Coles Wharf, Raleigh's and ferry crossing of the Yarra River. This building housed the ships chandlers, Inglis, Smith & Co over a long period and adjoined the legendary Fulton Foundry. It was described as a two storey stone store by the 1870s and the 1882 panorama shows a two-storey building with central parapet and gabled roof line behind. The 1866 isometric shows a similar building form.Evolution of the State Savings Banks of VictoriaThe first Government controlled savings bank in Victoria had been established in 1842 under New South Wales legislation. Known as the Savings Bank of Port Phillip it was administered by a Board of Trustees and a Vice-President. Branches of this Bank were subsequently established in other parts of the colony. In 1853 `The Commissioners of Savings Banks in the Colony of Victoria' emerged from the Savings' Bank Act 1853 (16 Vic., No.37). The Government appointed Commissioners had responsibility for the operation of the Savings Bank of Port Phillip and its branches.The financial depression of the early 1890s led to a Royal Commission on Banking (1895) with one recommendation being the Savings Banks Act 1890 Amendment Act 1896 (No.1481) that among other things amalgamated the Commissioners of Savings Banks and the Post Office Savings Banks across the Colony and introduced a credit foncier department into the State Savings Bank of Victoria. This played an important role in extending long-term credit to farmers at a lower cost than previously available. Long-term, low interest rate loans (credit foncier) were now available to home builders as well as to farmers. In this way, the bank developed a reputation as an institution for working class Victorians. Between 1896 and 1912 the independent Savings Banks of Victoria merged to become a single institution, the State Savings Banks of Victoria, as ratified by the 1912 Savings Banks Act (No.2365).After this restructuring, the bank underwent a period of rapid expansion in the years immediately prior to WWI, constructing 25 branches between 1912 and 1915. This branch dates from that period but Australian involvement in WWI brought the Bank's expansion to a halt. The State Savings Bank passed into the ownership of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia in 1991 although this particular branch building had been sold many years earlier.Probably designed by architects, Sydney Smith & Ogg (as aided by the design expert Robert Haddon), the former Flinders Street branch is a good and early example of the Edwardian Baroque architectural style applied to a small to medium scale building. The once symmetrical façade comprised a muscular arrangement of Classical decorative elements including a boldly modelled entry surmounted by a triangular pediment, arcuated windows at the first floor level, inset with bold keystones, and smooth rusticated pilasters rising to a unusually ornate parapet with pediment. The split pediment features a complex rendering of the State Savings Bank logo and the words `State Savings Bank' in raised lettering below. The bank complements the former coffee tavern adjoining on the east and relates to the strong Edwardian Baroque styling of the Markillies Hotel to the west.The eastern ground level window was once identical to the existing western opening, with its Arts & Crafts inspired wrought iron railing and moulded plinth. The window joinery was typical of the Edwardian-era with stout timber sections for mullions and rails. This eastern window had been changed to a vehicle entry but has since been infilled with a more sympathetic shopfront. The central entry door has been replaced. An unusual element that has also been removed was a gabled timber framed post-supported central portico over the street, with a fretted scroll motif in the gable end (see image c1914).How is it significant?This former Savings Bank building is significant historically and aesthetically to the Melbourne Capital City ZoneWhy is it significant?The former Savings Bank is of aesthetic significance as a good and near intact example of a vigorous application of the Edwardian Baroque style to a small scale building within the Capital City Zone.Historically it was among the first group of branch banks created under the newly constituted State Savings Bank of Victoria and was part of a rapid expansion of branch offices across the State matched by rising deposits. The building is also of historical interest as potentially holding significant fabric (stonework) from the 1850s, when occupied by ship's chandlers, Inglis, Smith & Co..RAWORTH, B 2002. REVIEW OF HERITAGE OVERLAY LISTINGS IN THE CBDfor the City of MelbourneHistory and DescriptionThis former State Savings Bank building, was constructed in 1912 as two storey banking premises.The State Savings Bank of Victoria 1896, by the amalgamation of the private Port Philip Savings Bank and developed a reputation during the latter part of the nineteenth century as an institution for working class Victorians. The bank underwent a period of rapid expansion in the years immediately prior to WWI, constructing 25 branches between 1913 and 1915 land it is likely that this branch dates from this period. Australian involvement in WWI brought the Bank's expansion to a halt. The State Savings Bank passed into the ownership of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia in 1991 although this particular branch had been traded many years earlier.Possibly designed by architects, Smith & Ogg2, the branch is a good example of the Edwardian Baroque architectural mode. As constructed, the symmetrical facade comprised a muscular arrangement of Classical decorative elements including a boldly modelled entry surmounted by a triangular pediment, arcuated windows at the first floor level, inset with bold keystones, and smooth rusticated pilasters rising to a unusually ornate parapet with pediment. The split pediment features a complex rendering of the State Savings Bank logo and the words, State Savings Bank in raised lettering below. The building has been considerably altered since its construction. Small windows, presumed to have existed at the ground floor level have been considerably enlarged, in one instance, forming a vehicle entry. The building has also been painted.The building is in fair condition although evidence of recent structural repairs exists at its southwestern corner. It is currently used as a copy centre.Statement of SignificanceThe former state Savings Bank is of aesthetic significance at a local level as a good and reasonably intact example of an Edwardian Baroque bank within Melbourne's CBD..GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM cites Lawrie Wilson & Associates, 1977. Historic Buildings Preservation Council Report on CBD Block No 6 Dec 1977 (84).Lawrie Wilson & Associates, 1977. Historic Buildings Preservation Council Report on CBD Block No 6 Dec 1977 (84):132-3 notes new door and vehicular entry, cites MCC rate book as brick bank, 2 floors (confirmed 2011), chronology from 1870s, cites rate books- 1872 stone warehouse, 2 storeys…; 1877 Dove plan building over whole site; part earlier warehouse building? Notes exuberant classical style. Not recommended to Historic Buildings Register.`1. HISTORY.1872 Stone warehouse, two storeys, occupied by D. Inglis, Ship .Chandler (rate book).1877 Dove plan shows as above, with building occupying the whole site.1911 Brick and stone store, owner H. Barham (rate book).1912 Brick bank, two floors, owner and occupier Melbourne Savings Bank (rate book). .The present building is assumed to be of this date, although an inspection indicates that some of the earlier building has been incorporated into the later structure.2. DESCRIPTION. A two storey brick building with stuccoed facade to Flinders Street. The style of building is exuberantly classical and dominated by a finely detailed broken pediment incorporating the bank's initials. The ground floor frontage has been altered to provide a vehicular entry from Flinders Street, together with a new front entry. Although the building has picturesque appeal, no architectural nor historical significance is attached to it.3. RECOMMENDATION. The retention of this building is not warranted. '.City of Melbourne i-Heritage:Central Activities District Conservation Study - Graeme Butler, 1984 Building Identification Form (BIF): : Description/Notable Features Notable features include elaborate/high standard design of cement rendered surfaces. Alterations / Recommendations: New shutter (inappropriate - reinstate original design) - see west side., Smith, Sydney & Ogg ?.LEWIS, M- AUSTRALIAN ARCHITECTURE INDEX, CITY OF MELBOURNE BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATIONS :Record 7701 VIC Banks 1911 5 12The Savings Bank is operating a branch further along Flinders Street, towards Spencer Street, on a site recently obtained for 162 pounds a foot.Building 12.5.1911,p 53Burchett Index: none in geographic card listing but see Building Permit Application 1911, 2471 Savings Bank in Elizabeth St by Grainger & Little; also many SSB branches by Sydney Smith & Ogg, Godfrey & Spowers- see Yarraville example 1909 with similar foliated cement friezes- see bank example in Haddon 1908, `Australian Architecture'?)No relevant Building Permit Application post 1916. Burchett MCC Building Permit Application (BA) index: not under architect grouping of above options.VPRO MCC Buildings Notices and register: searched for 1901-1916, no result for Savings Bank as owner ..Melbourne Roll Plan 12 (Bibb's Melbourne plan) 1856:shows as part of Fulton's Foundry.Mahlstedt fire insurance plan seriesMahlstedt & Gee 1888 shows 2 storey as 123 flinders St Inglis & Smith..1910-1923 (MUA), block 24: shows 2 storey occupied by A.S Leckie dealer.1910-23 (State Library of Victoria collection: fiche): shows single storey `Victoria Savings Bank' branch with safe at rear, `no fire proof floors';M1924 shows bank as 2 storey with windows either side of the central entry (since changed)..Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works (MMBW) detail plan, No. 739, City of MelbournePublication 1895 shown as outline backing onto Mercantile LaneMMBW PSP: no plan pre 1979 held by City West Water.Raworth, B MCC i-Heritage: Central Activities District Conservation Study Building Identification form 2000:cites Graeme Butler MCC i-Heritage: Central Activities District Conservation Study Building Identification form 1985 and L Wilson HBPC Area study 1984 (sic); Melbourne Cityscope, Cityscope Publication Pty Ltd, Melbourne 1998, Map 34; Sands & MacDougall, Directory of Victoria, 1912. Craddock & Cavanaugh, !25 Years: the story of the State Bank of Victoria 1842-1966, p.12..NEWSPAPERS (TROVE)The Argus 30/11/1912 Market St branch of SSB transferred to Flinders St branch, Staff to move to new Elizabeth st bank building, old building to go to Harbour Trust5/7/1913 Godfrey & Spowers call tenders for many SSB banks (see also nearby significant Bank of NSW).PROV:Agency VA 1041 State Bank of Victoria: Establishment and Background HistoryVPRO SSB collection images VPRS 8935 c1914 image of bank and staff;.DIRECTORIES OF VICTORIA, MELBOURNE-SANDS AND KENNY, SANDS & MCDOUGALL1961 Lukey, caterer1939 SSB HH James, manager1920 SSB1915 SSB Bridger, Marston C JP manager1910 Colenso, Richard shipping provedore1904 520 Leckie, Alexander, general dealer522 Chenoweth, Thomas H., mercantile broker &commission agent(524 Freame, Francis J.,)1893:(518 Coffee tavern & restaurant- Choate, Ebenezer J.)522 Inglis, Smith & Co, ship chandlers524 Paterson , Jas., & Co, coal merchnt and shipowners1880:(119 & 121 COFFEE TAVERNS COMPANY)123 Inglis , Smith and Co ship chandlers(125 Paterson , James, & Co, coal merchants & shipowners1875:(121 Bergin)123 Inglis , Daniel ship chandlers(125 Paterson , James, & Co, coal merchants & shipowners1870:(121 Bergin)123 Inglis , Smith and Co ship chandlers(125 Potts, Thomas C wine & Spirit merchants1858:(121 Ward & Bergin)123 Grave, William George sail maker & ship chandler(125 Fultons foundry(127 Stooke).City of Melbourne Rate Books: VPRS 5780 MicroficheFlinders Street 520-522– City of Melbourne –Lonsdale WardDate Rate no Occupier Owner Description NAV1913 96 Melbourne Saving bank Melbourne Saving Bank 522 Bk. Bank 2 floors 33 x 90 2601912 99 Melbourne Saving bank Name crossed out to read Melbourne Saving Bank 522 Bk.& stone shop to Bank 2 floors 50 x 90 2601911 100 Robert Cobuso Howarth Barkam 522 Bk.& stone Store 30 x 90 260
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Research and reports
Record number:
1209408
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 103991 | 1 JPEG : 231 KB ; A4 | Single Item (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |