Union Bank of Australia Ltd., later CBC Bank, 109-113 Collins Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
Archives
Total copies: 1
Title:
Union Bank of Australia Ltd., later CBC Bank, 109-113 Collins Street, Melbourne
Creator:
Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 102069 1
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:
Period: Inter-WarConstruction date: 1938Architects: Walter & Richard ButlerHistory: Built for the Union Bank of Australia Ltd..ASSOCIATED RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER:.GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYStatement of SignificanceHistoryWalter & Richard Butler designed a caretaker's penthouse, six floors of offices and a ground level banking chamber, late in 1937, lodging their application to build in January 1938. It was for the Union Bank of Australia Ltd. (Eastern Branch), an old colonial institution (1837), which was to last only another eleven years, before its merger with the A.N.Z. It was sold in 1957 and another banking group, the C.B.C., occupied the vacated banking chamber.Walter Butler (later W. & R. Butler) had designed virtually all of their major branches since his partnership with Inskip (the bank's previous architect) in the 1890s. Branches contemporary with this one were Kerang (1921), Dimboola (1922), Kyabram (1935), Footscray (1936) and two in the city, Swanston Street and Little Collins Street (A. & K. Henderson) (1937-8). A contemporary account by the R.V.I.A. Journal noted the foyer and light fittings of this bank as being particularly noteworthy.This design was in the established bank Modern-Classicism manner (see Western House, William Street) with areinforced concrete structure, tapestry brick facade and terra-cotta partitions. The main chamber had a steppedprofile ceiling, was typically double-height, and approached by a low-ceilinged lobby, since renovated.DescriptionFive levels and a mezzanine, the building has a two-colour brick facade dividing off podium and upper levels within the neo-classic stylistic vocabulary used in the design. The window frames and spandrels are all bronzed, occupying vertical strips in the building, in the form of a pilastrade which supports an implied massive brick entablature at the parapet. Similarly implied giant order pilasters support the podium level.Symmetry and a stepped parapet further enhance the neo-classic character, whilst details are executed in stepped brickwork or inset brick panels, rather than as applied ornamentation. A polished granite tile facing is used at ground level, with surviving fitments including a bronze Tenants' Directory, but new glazed entry screen has been added at a later date, as have numerous signs on the building at ground level. Two notable features are the copper bracketed lamps on the podium entablature.External IntegrityGenerally original, except for the addition of glazed screens at ground level and various signs.StreetscapeCorresponds in part with the adjoining Francis House (both possessing a classical revival manner) but contrasts with the adjoining 115-119 Collins Street and its heavy Queen Anne ornamentation.SignificanceA near intact and successful design in the Modern Classical cum Modern manner which possesses notable metal and brick detailing, relates well to the adjoining Neo-Georgian Francis House and is of historical interest as offices for a now defunct banking company..GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBuilding Identification Formcites source 78,p2; Source 78, 78A John & Phyllis Murphy Pty. Ltd. Architects. Historic buildings study of part of the C.B.D. Melbourne. (part 1) 1976Report to the Historic Buildings Preservation Council covering the area bounded by Little Collins, Flinders, Springand Elizabeth Sts.NEWSPAPERS:The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954) Wed 23 Aug 1939 Page 16New Union BankFEATURED in the new Union Bank building, corner of Little Collins Street and the Causeway, are the massive seml-clrcular bronze doors to the main banking chamber. Of steel frame construction, the doors slide apart into wall recesses, and were manufactured and Installed by Chubb's Australian Co. Ltd.. of Melbourne.The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954)Tuesday 5 July 1938 - Page 9https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/205129441£250,000 BANK Collins-Street StructureUnion Bank's Head OfficeReceived - by. - Air - Mail From Our . Special Representative. LONDON, June 22. .The board of directors of the Union Bank of Australia - .Ltd. has decided to erect- a modern nine-story building on' the site, of the existing institution at 351 Collins-street, Melbourne, to house the head office of the bank in Australia, and- to provide extensive accommodation for office and warehouse premises. Though no official announcement has been made, it is understood that the total cost of the building will be in the vicinity of £250,000. It is anticipated that work on the new building will commence before the end of the year, and that the building will be completed within two years. .One. of three plans submitted by Mr. Klngsley Henderson, the Melbourne architect, has been accepted, and final approval of. sectional details will be made by the board in July. The structure, will be one of the tallest and most imposing of its kind in Melbourne. It will have a frontal height of 132 feet and a rear height of 99 feet. It will have a frontage of 66 feet 5 inches to Collins-street, and a depth of 313 feet 11 Inches running through to Flinders-lane.The bank in its present building occupies a space of 26,000 square feet; but in the new building it will possess 56,500 square feet for its own requirements, leaving more than half the total area available for future extensions and for offices and warehouses. — .The building will be of steel and reinforced concrete, and with the exception of certain lift gear and carpets will be made of Australian materials throughout. Originally the directors were inclined to favor a retention .of some of the old, traditional architectural style, but it was finally decided to have a building embodying the very latest developments. .The main entrance from Collins-street will provide an impressive introduction to a modern interior. The spacious glass doorways will be flanked by two tall granite pillars, giving a Romanistic colonnade effect. The ground floor will be of grey, reddish or greenish grey granite— a matter now awaiting decision — while the upper floors will be of cement stucco. All floors will be rubberised, and will have invisible ray protection.The entrance hall and banking chamber will be done out in ivory white, and selected fittings will be fashioned in marble and bronze. Other fittings will be of white enamel and chromium plate.The layout of the building has been planned as follows:—Sub-basement: Car dock; ventilation, beating, water pumps, &c.Lower Ground Floor: Main staircase - serving the safe deposit and receiving house for Flinders-lane. Entrance to banking chamber from Flinders-lane. Treasury vestibule; strongrooms; voucher storage; tenants' lifts, &c.Ground Floor: Women's banking facilities, travellers' section; managerial section and waiting rooms. The rear of the ground floor will be available for ware house purposes and future banking ex tension. : Mezzanine: Quarters for two resident officers and small departments.First Floor: General manager's and chief inspector's departments, warehouse accommodation at the rear.Floors 2, 3, 4, 5,-C,: 7, 8: Available for offices. Ninth Floor; Devoted to general man ager's dining room -and staff dining rooms. The front portion-. of this floor will be available for letting and for any extension of banking welfare -services'. Special attention has been given to window space, .lighting and sound proofing.As the new- building -will be constructed in 'sections, there will be no interruption of business. in the present office. Thirteen sectional plans have yet to be approved by the board, and these will be dealt with before the general manager for Australasia (Mr. A. W. McNicol leaves for Melbourne by way of America in August. Tenders should be called for shortly after Mr. McNicol's arrival.(Image of UNION BANK BUILDING. The present head quarters of the Union Bank of Australia Ltd. at 351 Collins-street, Melbourne. )GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYStatement of SignificanceHistoryWalter & Richard Butler designed a caretaker's penthouse, six floors of offices and a ground level banking chamber, late in 1937, lodging their application to build in January 1938. It was for the Union Bank of Australia Ltd. (Eastern Branch), an old colonial institution (1837), which was to last only another eleven years, before its merger with the A.N.Z. It was sold in 1957 and another banking group, the C.B.C., occupied the vacated banking chamber.Walter Butler (later W. & R. Butler) had designed virtually all of their major branches since his partnership with Inskip (the bank's previous architect) in the 1890s. Branches contemporary with this one were Kerang (1921), Dimboola (1922), Kyabram (1935), Footscray (1936) and two in the city, Swanston Street and Little Collins Street (A. & K. Henderson) (1937-8). A contemporary account by the R.V.I.A. Journal noted the foyer and light fittings of this bank as being particularly noteworthy.This design was in the established bank Modern-Classicism manner (see Western House, William Street) with areinforced concrete structure, tapestry brick facade and terra-cotta partitions. The main chamber had a steppedprofile ceiling, was typically double-height, and approached by a low-ceilinged lobby, since renovated.DescriptionFive levels and a mezzanine, the building has a two-colour brick facade dividing off podium and upper levels within the neo-classic stylistic vocabulary used in the design. The window frames and spandrels are all bronzed, occupying vertical strips in the building, in the form of a pilastrade which supports an implied massive brick entablature at the parapet. Similarly implied giant order pilasters support the podium level.Symmetry and a stepped parapet further enhance the neo-classic character, whilst details are executed in stepped brickwork or inset brick panels, rather than as applied ornamentation. A polished granite tile facing is used at ground level, with surviving fitments including a bronze Tenants' Directory, but new glazed entry screen has been added at a later date, as have numerous signs on the building at ground level. Two notable features are the copper bracketed lamps on the podium entablature.External IntegrityGenerally original, except for the addition of glazed screens at ground level and various signs.StreetscapeCorresponds in part with the adjoining Francis House (both possessing a classical revival manner) but contrasts with the adjoining 115-119 Collins Street and its heavy Queen Anne ornamentation.SignificanceA near intact and successful design in the Modern Classical cum Modern manner which possesses notable metal and brick detailing, relates well to the adjoining Neo-Georgian Francis House and is of historical interest as offices for a now defunct banking company.
Topics:
Places:
Form/Genre:
Record types:
Research and reports
Record number:
1191735
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 102069 1 | 1 PDF : 741 KB ; A4 | Group of Items (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |