Commonwealth Bank, 463-471 Elizabeth Street & 80-86 Franklin Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
Archives
Total copies: 1
Title:
Commonwealth Bank, 463-471 Elizabeth Street & 80-86 Franklin Street, Melbourne
Creator:
Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 562691 562692
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 2024:__________________________________________________DATE: 1956;ASSOCIATIONS: Commonwealth Banking Corporation;DESIGNER: Crocker, F J (Architect- In- Charge Bank Section – Commonwealth Department of Works);BUILDER: Watts, E A Pty Ltd.Period: Post-War___________________________GRAEME BUTLER & ASSOCIATES 2011, CENTRAL CITY (HODDLE GRID) HERITAGE REVIEWStatement of SignificanceWhat is significant?This Commonwealth Banking Corporation Elizabeth Street North branch was opened on 12 Nov 1956 just in time for the Melbourne Olympic Games. The architect was the CBA Bank Architect F J Crocker, Architect- In- Charge Bank Section – Department of Works, having prepared the plans in 3 Nov 1955. The contactor was E A Watts Pty Ltd. The building replaced the old two-storey Sir Walter Scott Hotel (463 Elizabeth Street), then part of a strong Victorian-era precinct. The finished result was photographed by RAIA (Vic) secretary Peter Wille to add to the institute's collection.When completed the new bank had a distinctive buttressed skillion form with the battered Elizabeth Street façade reminiscent of the angled walls of the McIntyre Stargazer House, North Balwyn, of the same period. This boldly facetted façade abutted a sturdy vertical pier on the north side.The side upper level was clad with a freestone tile, each corner pinned to the wall by polished metal decals, while on the Elizabeth Street elevation, mosaic tiles were used below the awning highlight windows. The company name was attached to the upper level discreetly in the form of individual metal letters.Inside, an elegant open stair with metal balustrading floating concrete treads, ascended to the upper level. The banking chamber was ceiling was also angled, aligned with the underside of the skillion main roof. The overall effect was very modern, casting aside the conservatism of inter-war banking architecture. The significant but altered Chancellor & Patrick design on the opposite corner was two years after this pioneering concept and took a different branch of Modern.Since it was constructed the bank's side street glazing and upper level tile and stone facing (Franklin St) have all been painted over, the highlight windows covered with metal grille, together making for a major if easily reversible visual change in character. Part of the ground floor shopfront has been changed, engaging the rear of the angled façade buttresses. Unelated illuminated signs have been added.How is it significant?This Commonwealth Banking Corporation of Australia branch bank is significant aesthetically to the Melbourne Capital City Zone.Why is it significant?Although superficially altered, this Commonwealth Banking Corporation of Australia branch bank is aesthetically significant for its innovatory design in a an architectural field that had been dominated by conservative design during the inter-war period. It was only one of only two banks erected in the Capital City Zone after the Second War.___________________________GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM___________________________City of Melbourne i-Heritage:Central Activities District Conservation Study - Graeme Butler, 1984: Building Identification Form (BIF): : Alterations / Recommendations: Signs to window (inappropriate - remove or reinstate sympathetic alternative).___________________________Building Permit Application:(no new building listing for site, part 463-471 Commonwealth exemption from building application …) 1957, 32077 illuminated sign for 463 etc? (no VPRO holding)___________________________State Library of Victoria collection:Peter Wille (RAIA, Vic) image of bankCommonwealth Bank. 463 Elizabeth Street - at Franklin Street - Melbourne. Commonwealth Dept of Works. 1956CreatorWille, Peter 1932-1972 photographer.Image number: H91.244/449Format: transparency : colour slide ; 35 mm.Managed by: Item held by State Library of VictoriaCollection or series: Is part Of Peter Wille collection of architectural slidesDate or place: 1956.___________________________MELBOURNE AND METROPOLITAN BOARD OF WORKSPSP various plans with relevant construction plan dated Feb 1956 completed 1957- no architect cited.___________________________Feroz Hussein, Information and Archives Analyst, Data Governance & Solutions Delivery (Enterprise Services)Commonwealth Bank:opened on 12 Nov 1956. The architect was the CBA Bank Architect F J Crocker, Architect- In- Charge Bank Section – Department of Works, prepared the architectural plans in 3 Nov 1955. The contactor of the building was E A Watts Pty Ltd. images show 463 Elizabeth Street – Sir Walter Scott Hotel taken in 1954 and later when the branch was built in 1956.other Victorian designs that was undertaken by F J Crocker1. Elizabeth Street North, Melbourne2. Box Hill, VIC3. Moonee Ponds, VIC4. Elizabeth Street South – Melbourne5. Hargreaves Street, Bendigo – VICAlso F J Crocker was involved in building projects and inspections carried out in :1. Clayton, VIC2. Sunshine, VIC3. Springvale, VIC4. Footscray, VIC5. Dandenong, VIC6. Bentleigh, VIC7. Moorabbin, VIC8. 225 Bourke Street, Melbourne9. Burnie, TAS___________________________DIRECTORIES OF VICTORIA, MELBOURNE-SANDS AND KENNY, SANDS & MCDOUGALL1973 463 (-465) Cwealth Banking Corporation1962 463 see above, 465 Eva, JP & Town P/L elect engineers1952 463- 469 Sir Walter Scott Hotel
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Research and reports
Record number:
1272777
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 562691 562692 | 1 JPEG : 975 KB ; A4 | Single Item (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |