West Australian Bank (fmr)

Statement of Significance

• The place has historic value as a demonstration of the regional significance of the town of Harvey in the inter-war years • The places has aesthetic value as a good, although modified, example of the inter war art deco style • The place has social value as the bank was one of the places where all members of the community visited.

Physical Description

A distinctive Art Deco inspired structure with a curved façade which accentuates its position at the intersection of Uduc Road and Hayward Street. The building no longer presents in its original form though the original building does remain in part. The bank building is of rendered brick construction with a painted brick plinth, terracotta tiled steps and face brickwork entrance. The fascia and parapet which extends across the full width of the façade incorporates horizontal recessed bands which are reminiscent of the Art Deco style. The elevation itself is divided into a regular rhythm of bays and windows. The bank as it presents today is not in its original form having been extended to create the extensive curved façade. The original façade incorporated a central entrance with one window either side, all set beneath the stepped parapet and forming a symmetrical façade. Whilst the parapet has been retained and lengthened the entrance has been removed, being blocked up with a matching window and a new entrance created around the corner along Uduc Street. The building has been further extended along the Hayward Street frontage, taking in the corner position. The original decorative details have been retained and replicated on the extended building. The windows have been changed but are similar to the originals. The original roof form has been retained and extended to incorporate the additions to the bank building. The former house is of brick and tile construction with hipped roof.

History

The premises for the Bank of New South Wales, the precursor to the Westpac Bank were constructed in 1938 to designs prepared by architects Hobbs, Smith and Forbes. The new building included premises for the manager and cost £4000. The Western Australian Bank (which amalgamated with the Bank of New South Wales in 1927) first opened an agency in small wooden premises in Uduc Road, Harvey, near the corner of Herbert Road, on 16 August 1909. The agency was converted to a branch on 27 July 1910 and shortly afterwards the bank purchased the site of the current building for £150. A timber building with a tiled roof was erected in 1921 and served as bank chambers and staff residence until it was destroyed by fire on 22 November 1937. The following day the bank re-opened for business in temporary premises in Markham’s Buildings where it remained until the first stage of the current building was completed in 1938 to a design by architects Hobbs Smith and Forbes. The original building comprised a banking chamber, manager's room, lavatories, cloak zoom, stationery cupboard, and a large strong room. The residence included: a lounge, dining-room, four bedrooms, kitchen, servery, bathroom, sleep-out, brick garage, wood shed, and laundry. Initially the façade of the banking offices consisted of the central doorway and one window bay on each side. As business grew, another three window bays were added around the corner into Hayward Street. From 1982, the bank encroached into the adjoining residence and the Manager moved off site. The Bank of New South Wales was renamed the Westpac Bank, then Challenge Bank and reverted to Westpac Bank.

Integrity/Authenticity

Moderate/ High

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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