ANZ Bank (fmr)

Statement of Significance

The place is representative of Inter-War bank buildings, with its lofty and spacious banking chamber remaining intact. The place reflects the building boom of the 1920s, particularly in the private sector, which was a response to the influx of post-war immigration and capital from agricultural expansion. The place is closely associated with one of the early banking institutions in Western Australia, the English, Scottish and Australian bank (later ANZ). The place is an important part of the streetscape, complimenting the Melbourne Hotel (fmr) on the opposite street corner and providing a strong visual focus to both Hay and Milligan streets. The place is closely associated with prominent Perth architectural firm Oldham, Boas and Ednie-Brown. The place is a fine and rare example in Perth of a bank designed in the Inter-War Chicagoesque style. The place is important as the studios and offices of 6WF, Perth's first radio station, from 1930 to 1937.

Physical Description

Two storey rendered brick commercial building with decorative pediment to parapet and prominent cornice. Distinguished by classical motifs to pilasters and geometric mouldings. Building addresses the corner with main entrance doorway. The floor plan for the original bank was very simple and comprised a public space, three teller counters, a ledgers counter, a managers room, a small staff office, a strong room and toilets. The main entrance was from Hay Street.

History

Hay Street was established along with St. George's Terrace and Murray Street, as one of the main streets of Perth from the time of settlement in 1829. It remained a major commercial street throughout the twentieth century and for most of that time was characterised by traffic, including trams. The character of the street changed after it became a mall in the 1970's. The 1920s in Perth was characterised by economic prosperity and expansion. There was considerable migration from Britain and Europe encouraged by government sponsored settlement schemes. In the City this was a period of consolidation. There was continued commercial development including the construction of arcades, hotels and commercial buildings. Although the depression of the early 1930s caused a decline in the building industry, by the late 1930s there was renewed activity including the construction of cinemas. The English Scottish and Australia Bank (A.S. & A) had been established in the United Kingdom in 1852 as a Chartered Bank. The E.S. & A was registered in 1893 and began trading in Western Australia in 1897. In 1884 the property was developed by Robert Hester and included three houses and sheds. These buildings were leased over the years and sold. No. 938-940 was a land agency office and the shop operated as a grocery and confectionery shop. A branch was established at 940 Hay Street in 1924 in one of the original buildings on the property. On 25 July 1928 a tender for the purchase and removal of the existing buildings on the north east corner of Milligan and Hay Street was accepted a new building was constructed. The new building was designed by the architects Oldham, Boas, and Ednie-Brown. The first floor was designed as office space and was leased out to the Commonwealth Government in 1930. The Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) was located here before they moved to the new studios in Adelaide Terrace in the 1950s. In 1955 the E.S.&A. bank was taken over by the Australian and New Zealand (ANZ) Bank. At this time the building was remodelled. In 1996 the bank sold the building and the ground floor is used for retail purposes.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium level of integrity. Medium level of authenticity as it has lost some original detail at ground floor level but intact above.

Condition

Fair

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update