Royal Bank of Australia Ltd, later English Scottish & Australian Bank Ltd,, 42-44 Russell Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
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Title:
Royal Bank of Australia Ltd, later English Scottish & Australian Bank Ltd,, 42-44 Russell Street, Melbourne
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Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 108592
Level of description:
Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)
Type of materials:
Graphic materialsTextual material
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Series: Central City (BIF-CITY)
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UnrestrictedOpen access.
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UnrestrictedPlease contact City of Melbourne Libraries about obtaining permission to reproduce images.
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RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER 2023:__________________________________________________DATE: 1923-1924;ASSOCIATIONS: Royal Bank of Australia Ltd.;DESIGNER: Tompkins., H.W. & F.B.;BUILDER: Clements LangfordPeriod: Inter-War.GRAEME BUTLER & ASSOCIATES 2011, CENTRAL CITY (HODDLE GRID) HERITAGE REVIEWStatement of SignificanceWhat is significant?Richmond builder, Clements Langford constructed this `new banking premises' for the Royal Bank of Victoria at an estimated cost of ₤14,000 from 1923. This project involved retention of the existing Russell Street ground floor banking chamber (to the extent of 5 window bays from Russell Street) to allow banking business to carry on throughout the construction phase and the addition of a separate bay on the east end of the site, with three added upper levels over all. The architects were the Tomkins Brothers who had been responsible for many significant commercial buildings in the Capital City Zone. `The Argus' noted the construction of `these modern premises' in 1923.The first Royal Bank of Australia was established in 1840, with Benjamin Boyd as chairman of directors and subsequent general manager. Boyd used the company's finances to speculate on a number of projects which eventuated in the bank's failure in 1848. The bank remerged in the Colony during the late Victorian-era and survived the 1890s Depression particularly well, taking over other banking premises in its expansion. By the Edwardian-era the number of accounts had increased about 250%, the profits 375%, and the deposits more than 200%, while the staff numbers had nearly doubled. The chairman of the board was the Hon. F. S. Grimwade, M.L.C., along with Mr. Charles Campbell of Cumming, Smith, and Co. Proprietary Limited, as vice-chairman; the other directors were the Right Hon. Sir Samuel Gillott, M.L.A. Lord Mayor of Melbourne, and Mr. Randal J. Alcock of Messrs. James Service and Co.. In short, these were some of the State's more distinguished persons.This local bank however was not to last, with a takeover by the English, Scottish and Australian Charter Bank in 1927, soon after the construction of this branch. The ES&A had also acquired the London Bank of Australia Ltd. and the Commercial Bank of Tasmania Ltd. 1921. A merger with the Australian and New Zealand Bank Ltd. in 1969 created the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd.The Russell Street Royal Bank branch was built in an Italian Palazzo form with arched ground level fenestration and deeply rusticated stone-like render on the podium, a giant Ionic order pilistrade on the intermediate part of the façade and an attic level set below the main cornice, with balustraded parapet. The upper level walls were finely ruled as stone and moulded architraves applied around the steel-framed windows, each separated by a spandrel panel. Fine axed Harcourt granite formed the plinth to the ground floor and stout panelled door pairs (doors at 105mm thick) were fitted to the entry points in Russell Street (2) and Flinders Lane (1) while the banking chamber itself was also panelled. A cart dock or loading bay was located at the east end of the ground level. Terrazzo with a key-pattern border was used at the side entry and on the walls of stairwells, with granite steps to doorways.The exterior has been changed in detail only at ground level (two new aluminium glazed doors), with unrelated signs applied at the upper level. The building is on the opposite corner to the significant American Romanesque revival warehouse at 145 Flinders Lane.How is it significant?The Royal Bank of Australia is significant historically and aesthetically to the Melbourne Capital City ZoneWhy is it significant?The Royal Bank of Australia is significant historically as the only surviving purpose built bank erected in the Capital City Zone for one of the colony's own early banking companies. It subsequently served as a banking chamber within what was then the financial centre of Victoria, for a long period to follow.Architecturally the former bank is a well-preserved and good example of the Tomkins Brothers classical revival stylistic phase as applied to the incorporation of an existing building into a major new project and also following the needs of a company reliant on a traditional architectural image..GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM_________________________________________CITY OF MELBOURNE BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATIONSBuilding Permit Application 16 May 1923 5170 ₤14,000 new banking premises_________________________________________Mahlstedt Fire Insurance Plan Series:Mahlstedt & Gee, 1888 : Block 6 shows 2 storey Edwards Stoddart & Co tailors- lesser extent along Flinders lane to existingMahlstedt c1910-1923 shows lesser extent, differing openings_________________________________________Australian Architectural Index (AAI):H.W. & F.B. Tompkins.Royal Bank of Australia Ltd., cnr. Russell St. & Flinders Lane, Melbourne, Vic. (TSE)Urban Conservation ProjectsSurvey of Architectural Drawings_________________________________________Guide to Australian Business Records web sitehttp://www.gabr.net.au/biogs/ABE0178b.htmIncorporated as the English, Scottish and Australian Charter Bank in 1852. Registered in London under the Companies Acts as The English Scottish and Australian Bank Ltd on August 9, 1893.The bank acquired the business of the London Bank of Australia Ltd. as from January 1, 1921, and that of the Commercial Bank of Tasmania Ltd. as of March 1, 1921. On April 1, 1927, the bank acquired the business of the Royal Bank of Australia Limited.In 1969, the company merged with the Australian and New Zealand Bank Ltd. to form Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd._________________________________________William John Lawson - 1855, `The history of banking'_________________________________________Smith, `Cyclopedia of Victoria' : 190_________________________________________NEWSPAPERS (TROVE)`The Age'15 December 1923HT Wilson recently retired as general manager of the Royal Bank of Australia Ltd. entertained the all of the bank's staff at a theatre party…`The Argus':Friday 28 April 1922ROYAL BANK.CHAIRMAN'S ADDRESS.Industrial Outlook.Mr. R. J. Alcock, who presided at the general meeting of the Royal Bank yesterday, took occasion to refer at some length to the industrial and commercial outlook. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, …In Victoria great hopes of industrial development are entertained from the Morwell brown coal scheme, which is now well on the way, and which is expected to supply cheap electrical energy to a large area, making our factories independent. of . the caprices of New South Wales miners or shipping employees.'Thursday 31 May 1923`NEW ROYAL BANK CHAMBERS.(elevation)Messrs. H. W. and F. B. Tompkins are the architects«, and G. G. Henderson Pty. Ltd. the agents, for these modern premises, to be erected at the corner of Russell street and Flinders lane for the Royal Bank of Australia Ltd. The side elevation fronting Flinders lane is shown. The building will be used for a branch of the bank and offices to be let to tenants.'30 Nov 1923`PERSONAL.Mr H T Wilson, general manager of the Royal Bank of Australia ltd since its foundation over 35 years ago is desirous of retiring from the position after more than 50 years spent in the banking business Mr Wilson recently returned from a holiday trip to England, and at the termination of his furlough will, with the directors' approval, retire from the service.'Tuesday 1 March 1927MONETARY AND MINING.Regret will be felt in the City that another bank, identified with Victorian finance is to lose its individuality. On this occasion it is the Royal Bank, of Australia which for so many years has largely concentrated its business affairs in this State. It was founded in 1888, its paid up capital being £300 000. the directors then were Messres David Beath, Charles Campbell, FT Derham MLA, FS Grimwade, JA Kitchen, and C Smith MLA...at he very outset it was closely connected with some of the leading commercial houses in Victoria the first general manager being Mr H T Wilson ......the competition from the large banks having extensive interstate interests may be a factor which has influenced the directors in agreeing to the sale subject to the ratification of the shareholders…'.DIRECTORIES OF VICTORIA, MELBOURNE-SANDS AND KENNY, SANDS & MCDOUGALL1930, 1935, 1939 (32-44) ES&A Bank Ltd1920, 1924 (42-44) Royal Bank branch1915 42 and 44 separate properties1904 293 Collins St The Royal Bank of Aust Ltd—Wilson, H. T.,manager
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| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
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| Original | 108592 | 1 JPEG : 576 KB ; A4 | Single Item (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |