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Coordinates: 37°49′0.43″S 144°57′40.51″E / 37.8167861°S 144.9612528°E / -37.8167861; 144.9612528
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Former Bank of Australasia[edit]

Former Bank of Australasia
The view of Bank of Australasia from Collin Street
View of building from Collins Street
Map
General information
TypeBank
Architectural styleRenaissance Revival Style
Address394-398 Collins Street
Town or cityMelbourne, Victoria
CountryAustralia
Coordinates37°49′0.43″S 144°57′40.51″E / 37.8167861°S 144.9612528°E / -37.8167861; 144.9612528
Current tenantsThe Sebel Hotel Melbourne
Construction started1876
Completed1881
Renovated1929, 1970
Design and construction
Architect(s)Reed and Barnes, A.K. Henderson
References
[1] [2]

History[edit]

The first bank of Australasia was founded in 1835 in Sydney and soon after that they opened other branches in Hobart and Launceston [3]. Finally in 1838, they decided to open another branch in Melbourne due to the rapid growth in Melbourne economy. Furthermore, the headquarters of the bank had planned that the bank would be located in the prospering and prominent street which they found it at the corner of Collins st and Queen st banking district in 1858. A two-storey building was constructed in 1876 by Reed & Barnes architects with classical Italy style of architecture. The two upper storeys are to be faced with imported freestone from New Zealand [4]. The stone pilasters on both façade sides enable the impression of a classical 3D building with just two sides of elevations. It was the primarily innovator in the associations. However, due to the financial crisis in the 1890s and the 1930s the Bank ended the era of conservative, well-managed bank in Melbourne. In order to maintain the building, A&K Henderson was the second stage architect who reconstructed the building by adding three more storeys instead of total reconstruction. They made sure that the design matched the original building in both external styles and materials [5]. The internal decoration was completely reconstructed but still maintained the classical style that already established with the original building. After 98 years of occupancy, the ANZ Bank sold the building to a buyer which renovated the building into a hotel called Sebel Hotel [6].

Architect Stage 1[edit]

A two-storey building was built in the Victorian period in the Renaissance Revival Style [7] by Reed & Barnes, the exterior look very classical. The building are to be faced with freestone from Oamaru, New Zealand and the basement is to be from Malmesbury bluestone which in that time were excellent materials for columns. Moreover, the upper storey stands pilasters carrying the main valance decoration and the parapet, while the lower storey consists of rusticated piers[8] and Doric Cornice [9]. In fact, the building has no carved work to show no dynamism of creepiness feelings rather than ornateness. The interior of the banking chamber is severe and substantial, and the public areas were set with concrete or stones to cover the structure to not to be seen. The height of the building is 68ft (20700mm) and has 80ft (24400mm) length and 120ft (36500mm) width [10]. The main entrance is in the center of the front of Collins St and the private entrances for the supervisor in the north front [11]. As you walk in the building, you will find the offices connected with public area and they are located next to the western side window looking out to the main street. After all, the total cost was about £30.0001.


Architect Stage 2[edit]

The additional three storeys were added during the depression era in 1929 and it was reconstructed under A&K Henderson [12]. The third storey was given spectacular ornamentations, the fourth was conceptualized of the attic level and the fifth was a perfect setback to get the sunlight in. Furthermore, an ornate metal balustrades [13] was made to allow the light to get through the center of the building covered in a glazed sky light over the area [14]. From the first stage, the light was well organized. The interior plaster decoration was continued in the original way of Renaissance Revival Style favor [15].

Significance[edit]

The former bank of Australasia which now is Sebel Hotel was an example of the conservative expression of classical style to represent a bank where modern designs were going up all over the city. It is a successful, creative, and manipulative building which in gives the impression of three-dimensional architectural system with straight horizontal beams or lintels rather than arches [16]. The grouping of several columns also help form the spectacular facade look. Addition to the expansion significant building during the 1929 era, when it was common to add extra storey(s) instead of a total reconstruction, is a great solution to create a new existed building. Moreover, the former bank of Australasia was a significant major banking company in Australia from 1876-19743 when it was occupied by ANZ Bank. The site position on the corner of two Queen Street and Collins Street was well known as a prosperous business centre at the time in Australia due to its growth and wealth. It is now a first historical bank of Australasia for its conservative nature classical which reflects on its facades.

Award[edit]

Registered by the National Trust as a heritage of the former bank of Australasia

Footnotes[edit]

  1. ^ "Former Bank of Australasia". 1958/06/05. Retrieved 5/04/2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |year= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  2. ^ {cite web |title=Former Bank of Australasia: 394-398 Collins Street, MELBOURNE |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |year= |publisher= |location= |isbn= |page= |pages= |url= http://www.walkingmelbourne.com/building253_former-bank-of-australasia.html |accessdate=27/03/2012}}Ville Savoye à Poissy. Centre des monuments nationaux. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  3. ^ Australian Sketch (1874), p211
  4. ^ Australian Sketch (1874), p211
  5. ^ "Former Bank of Australasia: 394-398 Collins Street, MELBOURNE". Retrieved 27/03/2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  6. ^ "The Sebel Hotel Melbourne". {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Text "accessdate: 01/04/2012" ignored (help)
  7. ^ "Former Bank of Australasia: 394-398 Collins Street, MELBOURNE". Retrieved 27/03/2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  8. ^ Australian Sketch (1874), p211
  9. ^ Australian Sketch (1874), p211
  10. ^ Australian Sketch (1874), p211
  11. ^ Australian Sketch (1874), p211
  12. ^ "Former Bank of Australasia". 1958/06/05. Retrieved 5/04/2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |year= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  13. ^ "Former Bank of Australasia: 394-398 Collins Street, MELBOURNE". Retrieved 27/03/2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  14. ^ "Former Bank of Australasia: 394-398 Collins Street, MELBOURNE". Retrieved 27/03/2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  15. ^ "Former Bank of Australasia: 394-398 Collins Street, MELBOURNE". Retrieved 27/03/2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  16. ^ "Former Bank of Australasia". 1958/06/05. Retrieved 5/04/2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |year= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

Bibliography[edit]

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