The Commercial Bank

Statement of Significance

Significance: The building makes a contribution to the streetscape of Burt Street in its prominent location at the corner of Lane and Burt Streets. Built to the street alignment, the heavy masonry shell of the building and its classical detailing facade treatment of painted and rendered work gives the building prominence in Burt Street.

Physical Description

: A two-storey building designed in the Federation Free Classical style, c. 1890 - c. 1915, and built to the building line of Burt and Lane Streets. The exterior of the building features a rendered parapet which bares the name of the building.

The facade treatment of painted and rendered work creates visual interest. A verandah roof (now missing) wrapped the facade and extended across the pavement.

History

The building was built on land which was sold in the first land sale in 1897 for £900 (Boulder's Hidden Secrets, 1993).

The Insurance Plans for Boulder c. 1900 illustrate that Lot 51 had 11 brick buildings. Facing Burt Street were Bairds Co, Gare Tobacco and the Commercial Bank. Bairds and Co and Gare Tobacco had a front verandah but the Commercial Bank did not have a verandah. Facing Lane Street was a line of shops including Manhire Watchmaker, John and Co Fruit, Nicholas Fruit Shop, Purser Tailor, Coad Mercer and Red Shop Grocer. A verandah extended across the facades of these shops and over the pavement.

T. J. Manhire at his watchmaking and jewellery shop had a clock tower attached to the verandah with the clock extending over the road carriage (the clock is now attached to the former British Arms Hotel located at 13 Hannan Street, Kalgoorlie). The clock was a meeting place for tram travellers, meeting "under the clock". The business was later in the hands of Mazzucchelli and Downes who produced the gold key used at the opening of the Boulder Town Hall. Mazzucchelli was formerly situated on Lot 57 Burt Street (Boulder Hidden Secrets, 1993).

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Moderate to High
Authenticity: High

Condition

Fair

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.