Bank of Australia, 394-398 Collins Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
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Total copies: 1
Title:
Bank of Australia, 394-398 Collins Street, Melbourne
Creator:
Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 102131
Level of description:
Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)
Type of materials:
Graphic materialsTextual material
Part of:
Series: Central City (BIF-CITY)
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UnrestrictedOpen access.
Use restrictions:
UnrestrictedPlease contact City of Melbourne Libraries about obtaining permission to reproduce images.
General notes:
Period: Early Victorian, Inter-WarConstruction date: (1) 1875 (2) 1929.ASSOCIATED RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER:.VICTORIA HERITAGE REGISTER H0033What is significant?The Bank of Australasia was founded in Sydney in 1835. It quickly opened branches in Hobart and Launceston, and then in Melbourne in 1838. Due to vigorous growth in the Melbourne economy, especially during the 1850s, it was decided that the Australian headquarters of the bank would be located in the prospering town. A prominent corner site in the centre of Melbourne's banking district was purchased in 1858 and a building was constructed in 1876. The Bank of Australasia had early associations with small indigenous banks seeing itself primarily as a support for pioneers. It was a conservatively run bank that managed to weather the financial collapses of the 1890s and the 1930s.The history of this building is dominated by the fact that it was designed in two stages by two different architects. The architects for the first stage, Reeds & Barnes, designed a restrained two storey Classical building, constructed of imported Omaru stone, with a rusticated base, a prominent cornice and grouped corner pilasters. The architects for the second stage of the building, in 1929, were A & K Henderson. Three stories were added which matched the original building in both external style and materials. To externally continue the classical style established with the original building, the third storey was given a very prominent cornice, the fourth level was conceived of as an attic level and the fifth was set well back. The interior was completely reconstructed. A mezzanine level was added within the ground floor banking chamber with ornate metal balustrades and a light well was built through the centre of the building culminating in a glazed sky light over the banking chamber. On the first floor the boardroom was positioned to overlook the light well. The interior plaster decoration was continued in the original Renaissance Revival flavour. From the 1970s the light well was filled in and intermediate levels added between floors three and four, and also between the first and second floor. The ANZ Bank sold the building in 1974, ending 98 years of occupancy.How is it significant?The former Bank of Australasia, 394 ? 398 Collins Street Melbourne, is of architectural and historical significance to the state of Victoria.Why is it significant?The former Bank of Australasia is of architectural significance as an example of conservative Renaissance Revival design. The 1876 design is significant for its successful manipulation of classical elements to a corner location. The use of superimposed trabeated architectural systems and the groupings of pilasters at the corners of the building enable the impression of a classical three dimensional presence, while only actually decorating two faces. The early building is also significant for its use of imported stone from New Zealand, demonstrating the resources available and the ties the bank had in the 1870s. The 1929 additions are significant as an example of building expansion during the depression era, when it was common to add more storeys to a building instead of total reconstruction. These additions are also significant as a skilful solution to the problem of adding levels to an already complete classically based design. The former bank of Australasia is significant as an example of conservative design expression representing a conservative bank, in a period when more modern designs were going up all over the city.The former Bank of Australasia is of historical significance as the headquarters of a major banking company within Australia from 1876 to 1974. It is significant for its position on a corner site within the centre of the banking precinct in Melbourne, which was the most important business centre at the time in Australia due to its growth and wealth. The Bank of Australasia is of historical significance for its conservative nature, which is reflected in both the original facades and the 1920s additions. In this period the architectural expression of the bank served as a metaphor for the impression the company wanted sent out to the community. In this case it was images of solidity and confidence. The existing interior layout of the banking chamber, the vaults, the board room and the managers office are of historical significance as they reflect the operations and hierarchy of a major banking headquarters. The 1929 boardroom, in particular, is illustrative of the banking business culture during the 1930s. It is significant as a rare example of a surviving boardroom from a banking headquarters of that period..GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM cites source 80 Keith & John R Reid, 1976, CBD STUDY AREA 7, page 23;.HERITAGE BRANCH, MINISTRY FOR PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT 1987 CITY OF MELBOURNE CENTRAL CITY NOTABLE BUILDINGS CITATIONSOriginally built as a two-storey bank in 1875 to a Classical Revival design by Reed and Barnes, three further floors were added in a complementary manner designed by architects A & K Henderson in 1930. A building of great architectural significance and prominence, it also reflects the power of Melbourne's banking fraternity in the latter part of the 19th century. (see Hermes 130497).VICTORIA HERITAGE REGISTER H0033Contextual History:The first branch of the Bank of Australasia opened in Sydney in 1835, quickly followed by branches opening in Hobart and Launceston. In 1838 a branch was opened in Melbourne, and due to the huge stimulation in the economy because of the growth of the wool trade, and later gold, it was not long before it was decided to move the head office. A site was purchased in Collins Street Melbourne in 1858 for this purpose, however a building was not constructed until 1876. The Bank of Australasia had much of its early associations with small colonial banks and initially saw itself primarily as a support for pioneers. The management was very conservative which ensured its survival during the financial collapse of the late 1880s, as they had kept enough of their assets in liquid form. In the 1920s the Bank of Australasia began to call itself the oldest bank in Australia on the basis that it was unaltered from the way it had been originally constituted. The Bank of Australasia also had no problems riding out the financial problems of the depression in the 1930s, but suffered instead throughout that period from a more public backlash regarding its close association with Britain. There was a strong feeling amongst the community that banks were serving the interests of the British monied class. [primary refererce used is 'ANZ Bank: An Official History', David Merrett, Allen & Unwin Sydney 1985 p. 1 - 14]In 1951 the bank merged with the Union Bank of Australia Ltd and formed the Australia & New Zealand Bank Ltd.History of Place:The former Bank of Australasia, in Collins Street Melbourne, was constructed by Reed & Barnes in 1876 as the headquarters of the corporation. It was initially a two-storey building designed in a classical revival style with high arched windows and attached columns. The building was constructed of imported Omaru stone from New Zealand and was built on a prominent corner position in the centre of Melbourne?s business district.In 1929-30 renovations took place. It was a common occurrence during the depression years to renovate city buildings when more space was required, rather than rebuild them from scratch. An additional three floors were added by the architects A & K Henderson. Henderson had been employed by Reed & Barnes when the building had been originally constructed, [Notes for 394 Collins Street hearing 24/11/98. Officer reporting Peter Mills] so the renovations were undertaken to match the original building in both external style and materials. The top three floors were built each with a slightly decreased floor area as they got higher, creating a pyramid effect. This was done as a solution to the complicated architectural problem of adding additional levels to an already completed Classical design. In order to externally continue the classical style established with the original building, the third storey was given a very prominent cornice, the fourth level was conceived of as an attic level and the fifth was set back further. The interior of the original two floors was totally reconstructed in keeping with the original style, with a large elaborate banking chamber being created on the ground level and the boardroom designed on the second level. [Submission to the Heritage Council produced for the Walker Corporation by Allom Lovell & Associates. Nov 1998 p. 1] The banking chamber is a very good example of the twentieth century renaissance inspired interior, with its coffered plaster ceilings, grand columns and stone and bronze decorative elements. [Permit Appeals Hearing Information 24th November 1998, p. 4 (from file)]In 1960 further renovations took place and an intermediate floor between levels three and four was added within the building. This floor can be seen from the outside bisecting the windows on the Queens Street facade of the building. In 1974 the ANZ Bank sold the building to the General Accident Fire and Life Assurance Corporation, and in 1997 it was sold once again to the Walker Corporation.The registration for this building was originally for the entire structure, but has since been reduced to certain aspects, including the board room, the basement, which was used as an air raid shelter, and the south lifts to all floors.Originally the boardroom faced onto a central light court that ran the entire height of the building, therefore allowing for and relying on natural light. In 1980 - 82 works took place that closed off the light court and separated it from the boardroom, but retained the original steel doors that had connected it. Diffused electric lighting was introduced in place of the natural light.'Associated People:Cites;David Merrett 1985, ANZ Bank: An Official History, Allen & Unwin Sydney: 9-14
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Research and reports
Record number:
1196925
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 102131 | 1 PDF : 1,646 KB ; A4 | Group of Items (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |