Commonwealth Bank (fmr), Bunbury

Statement of Significance

Commonwealth Bank (fmr), an Inter-War Stripped Classical style double and single storeyed brick office building, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: it is a representative example within the extensive history of Classicism in Australian aesthetic ideas, particularly associated with the emergence of Federation and the Commonwealth Bank, as an institution of the federated Australian Commonwealth; it demonstrates design accomplishment, and contributes to the aesthetically notable streetscape of the town-centre of the City of Bunbury; and, it has social value for its contribution to the formation of an esteemed, precinctual-scaled, place of gathering within the City.

Physical Description

Commonwealth Bank (fmr) is an Inter-War Stripped Classical style double and single storeyed brick office building.This building has the physical evidence of authentic stylistic details of its origins in 1928. The style of the bank is neo-Classical, in a minor version of the same house style used in a grander form in the State's main office at Forrest Place, Perth, and in the main national head office in Melbourne; the latter seen in the familar "tin" money boxes issued by the Bank to generations of young "savers". In this version the main Classical devices used are a low plinth supporting the pseudo-suggestion of a rusticated ground floor evoked by alternating recessed brick courses between flush-jointed brickwork, imitating large stone block construction. Simplified string courses, cornices and parapet moldings define the first floor and roof-lines. The balconies are supported on simplified console brackets and the windows are set within frames of simplified architraves with "key-stones". The windows are multi-paned in Georgian Classical fashion with "Union Jack" pattern, Roman-Classical inspired fanlights. A main, two-storeyed, balconied form at the street corner is supported at the Stephen Street side by a single-storeyed section detailed as for the main facades, and those facades that do not face the street, including simpler later additions, are unadorned. The neo-Classical style of the exteriors is carried through into the interiors of the former banking chamber, in the coffering of the ceilings with encased beams, such beams, ceilings and window architraves decorated by simplified, Classically-derived moldings with molding blocks at their junctions in lieu of mitres.The staircase incorporates a well detailed, geometric-patterned timber balustrade, and its window is glazed with a reduced Art Deco geometric leadlight design. It illustrates the common confusion and mixture of the styles in architecture of the period.

History

Commonwealth Bank (fmr) was built in 1929 at a cost of £7,500. The Commonwealth Bank was founded under the Commonwealth Bank Act in 1911 and was empowered to conduct both savings and general banking business. The first branch was opened on 15 July 1912 at 317 Collins Street, Melbourne and through 489 agencies in post offices throughout Victoria. During 1913, branches were opened in all capital cities and postal agencies were established across Australia. In 1928, the Commonwealth Bank had drawings for a new branch in Bunbury drawn up by the Commonwealth Department of Works under the direction of supervising architect, C R Ross. The new building was to be on the corner of Stephen Street and Victoria Street, next door to the Commonwealth Post Master General Department’s new Bunbury Post Office. [The Post Office has since been demolished.] During World War II, the Commonwealth Bank played in an important role in the distribution of rations and as an agency for raising funds for the war. The Commonwealth Bank continued to use the building for many years. An extension to the design of Perth architects Silver and Fairbrother was completed in 1960. A further extension to the design of Silver and Goldberg was built in 1970. Circa 1978, the building became part of the Bunbury Telecom facilities after the Post Master General’s Department was split into Australia Post and Telecom. The building was later sold into private ownership and let out as offices. From c1990 the main part of the building has been used as parliamentary offices for the sitting member for Bunbury. Other commercial offices occupy the remaining space. The building is now used to accommodate Real Estate Offices. This history is partly based on Heritage Council of Western Australia, ‘Register of Heritage Places: Commonwealth Bank, Bunbury’, prepared by Ian Molyneux, 1997.

Integrity/Authenticity

High degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability). High degree of authenticity with much original fabric remaining. (These statements based on street survey only).

Condition

Condition assessed as good (assessed from streetscape survey only).

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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