Bank Of New South Wales (NSW) (fmr)

Statement of Significance

The building has aesthetic value as a fine example of the Federation Academic Classical style, a style common for civic buildings in Australian towns and cities. The building makes an important contribution to the streetscape of Tudor Street in its grand and classical form and the building forms a vista at the southern end of Leake Street. The building has landmark value; its heavy masonry shell in its classical form is a visual contrast to the surrounding buildings. The place has historic value for its demonstration of a way of life in which the bank manager and family were accommodated in the building.

Physical Description

The single-storey, commercial building on the south side of Tudhoe Street is built to the street alignment in the Federation Academic Classical style.1 The building forms a vista at the southern end of Leake Street. The building expresses authority and wealth by its formal and symmetrical composition and robustness. The facade comprises a oentral raised and recessed concrete porch framed by end piers. The exterior walls of the building are painted brickwork laid in stretcher bond. End waUs are smoothly rendered, richly modelled classical piers with cnamfered edges to emphasise the joints. The piers extend beyond the roof of the building. The walls are capped with a rendered parapet with a cornice and entablature under. A row of dentils adorn the underside of the cornice. The entafclature bears the name of the building, 'Westpac'. The parapet conceals the roof behind which features tall corbel ed brick chimneys. The entablature is supported by four conventional ionic capitals, two framing the entrance, and two juxtaposed to the end piers. Thetabature has been painted as it conceals the original name of the bank, 'Bank of New South Wales'. An simple balustrade of iron posts and rails protect the porch. An iron palisade gate that featured at the entrance has been removed. Date of removal is unknown. The facade is symmetrical about a central doorway with double doors of timber and glazed panels. Double-hung sash windows, with large clear panes, are either side of the central door. A residence is attached to the bank building on the western elevation. The walls are fairfaced and laid in stretcher bond. A private entrance to the residence is on the western side. The exterior of the residence features a bay window and french doors that open onto a verandah, now covered in concrete. The verandah is covered; the roof supported by turned timber posts with decorative brackets. An fibro-cement clad addition extends the rear of the building. The addition has louvred windows and aluminium framed sliding windows. The window frames on the facade have been replaced with aluminium sections. The interior of the building has been upgraded. A carport with a lean-to roof with a lined soffit has been added to the residence on the west elevation, and the west and east elevations have been rendered to window sill height. Metal security screens and bars protect some of the window.

History

In August 1912, tenders were called by architect William A. Nelson, for the erection of banking premises for the Bank of New South Wales.2 By November 1912, the contract had been let to Mr Deeble, "who had just given an order to Mr Geo. Old, the local brickman, for something like 80,000 bricks".3 Further progress was noted in December, "The work of erecting the New South Wales Bank at Wagin has been commenced, the stone for the foundation being napped, while the timber required on the job s being placed on the spot by Messrs Stubbs and Jeffrey, who have secured the contract for supply of the same".4 In 1996, the building continues to be used for banking purposes.

Integrity/Authenticity

INTEGRITY: High AUTHENTICITY: Moderate to High

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update