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Former Bank of N.S.W., 14 Napier Street, ST ARNAUD
Location14 Napier Street ST ARNAUD, NORTHERN GRAMPIANS SHIRE LevelRecommended for Heritage Overlay |
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Statement of Significance
The former Bank of NSW at 14 Napier Street, St. Arnaud, makes a significant contribution to the 19th century streetscape, and is a legacy of the early development of the centre of the township in this area. The building also remains today as an important legacy of the financial institutions established in the town in the 19th century. In particular, this bank was constructed in 1873 for the Bank of NSW, on a site previously owned by a Mr. E. Butcher, whose cottage was the location of the first print of the St. Arnaud Mercury in 1864. It appears that this cottage was originally incorporated into the bank design, which was provided by the Inglewood architect, James Wynn. The building ceased operations as a bank when the Bank of NSW moved to new premises in c.1937. The former Bank of NSW is architecturally significant at a LOCAL level. It demonstrates original design qualities of a rudimentary Victorian Free Classical style. These qualities include the single storey asymmetrical composition, denoted by the projecting entrance porch with a small gable roof form. Other intact qualities include the brick wall construction, simple hipped roof forms clad in slate at the front and in galvanised corrugated iron at the rear, rendered chimneys with projecting cornice tops, small ventilation dormer, narrow eaves and double brackets supported on moulded cornices, moulded pediment edges and sculptural organic relief entablature on the entrance porch, arched doorway with a vermiculated keystone and rusticated voussoirs and quoins, other more rusticated quoins and vermiculated keystones about the window openings, six panelled double timber door and plain fanlight above, timber framed double hung windows, dressed masonry window sills, rear U form that incorporates the cottage located on this site prior to the construction of the bank building, side skillion verandah supported by stop-chamfered timber columns with decorative capitals and simple timber brackets, and the rendered wall construction of the rear section. The small cottage gardens and the hedge along the side of the Napier Street boundary also contribute to the significance of the place. The former Bank of NSW is historically significant at a LOCAL level. It is associated with the development of the Bank of NSW in the initial centre of St. Arnaud from 1873 until c.1937. Moreover, the rear section of the building that was partially Mr. E. Butcher's cottage is associated with the first print of the St. Arnaud Mercury newspaper in 1864. The Bank building is further associated with the Inglewood architect, James Wynne. The former Bank of NSW is socially significant at a LOCAL level. Although no longer used as a bank, it is recognised by the St. Arnaud community as a building of public interest because of its former purpose. Overall, the former Bank of NSW is of LOCAL significance.
Group
Finance
Category
Bank