Bank of Victoria, later National Bank, 536 Queensberry Street, North Melbourne
Butler, Graeme18 Jan 1985
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Title:
Bank of Victoria, later National Bank, 536 Queensberry Street, North Melbourne
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Date of work:
18 Jan 1985
Reference number:
BIF-NORTH 107995
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Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)
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Graphic materialsTextual material
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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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GRAEME BUTLER 1983, CONSERVATION STUDY FOR THE CITY OF MELBOURNE OF NORTH AND WEST MELBOURNEGrading as at 1985: CPeriod: Early Victorian (1874)Grantee: D Lyons 1852History- The Bank of Victoria owned this building and operated from it from its construction in 1874, until at least 1905. Charles Thorpe was the first manager, succeeded William Longuehaye, who remained there until after 1900 when Lachlan Fraser took up the position.Two years after Victoria was declared a separate colony in 1851, the Bank of Victoria opened. It survived the financial collapse and continued independently until 1927, when it was taken over by the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney.This bank was designed by bank architects Smith and Johnson who had designed the earlier Melbourne branch in 1861 and many others.Description- A two storey stuccoed brick and parapeted bank and residence with architraved, arched fenestration pattern, arranged in and unordered fashion and mouldings at cornice and impost lines as well as fluted string moulds.Sub-sill panels and alternating corniced window bays are further decorative devices aimed to formalise the fenestration pattern, but appearing instead to achieve an almost random effect. Wrought iron balustrading is used at the balconettes.Integrity - Main windows flanking the entrance and the entrance itself have been replaced in a non-compatible manner.Streetscape – A prominent corner building linking the Errol and Queensberry Street commercial precincts and sited opposite the former town hall.Significance- Architecturally. clumsy alterations have taken much of the originally only intermediate architectural importance of what was a typically unconsidered assembly of stucco details but the building occupies an important part as the pivot to two streetscapes: of high local importance.Historically, the second bank building in the area, a continuous focus of public activity and exemplification of a building use type : of high local importance.Recommendations - Repaint in original or typical colours; consider restoration of windows and entrance; consider replacement of illuminated signs with externally illuminated signs lettered as guidelines (refers to NATIONAL TRUST OF AUSTRALIA (VIC) technical bulletin).References:(RB= Rate book; D= Melbourne or Victoria Directory; V.Y .B.= Victorian Year Book)1. R8 1874 13432. D. 1905;3. RB 1875-76, 1349; RB 1880-81, 13204. D. 1900, D. 19055. V.Y .B. 1973 p.338-96. Trethowan 'Banks of Victoria' 1976___________________________RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER 2026NEWSPAPERS (TROVE)1874https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/71566200BANK OF VICTORIA HOTHAMOne of the most extensive and flourishing of the colonial banking institutions has within the last eighteen months been competing for a share of the business of the metropolitan suburbs. During that short period the Bank of Victoria has opened branches at Footscray, Prahran, Fitzroy and Emerald Hill; now the residents of Hotham are accommodated with a branch of the same bank in the very heart of the borough. The new building is situated at the corner of Queensberry and .Errol streets, and by its substantial construction and architectural pretensions, has added considerably to the appearance of that elevated, site, besides enhancing the value of adjoining properties. When the pro sent antiquated structure, known as, the Town Hall and Court House, -shall be replaced by a commodious and elegant edifice, this particular spot will be improved almost beyond recognition, ' We trust that the enterprise of the Bank of Victoria in thus adding: to our banking facilities, will not go unrewarded, but that the new institution will meet with its full share of public patronage and support..https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/71566137BANK OF VICTORIA, HOTHAM.It will be perceived from our advertising columns that the new building of the Bank of Victoria, in Errol street, Hotham, will be opened for the transaction of general banking business on the 1st of December, under the management of Mr. Charles Thorpe.
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1624623
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 107995 | 1 PDF : 713 KB ; A4 | Group of Items (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |