Former Bank of Victoria and Stables, 163 Main Street, STAWELL

The former Bank of Victoria at 163 Main Street, Stawell, makes a significant contribution to the architectural and visual amenity of the predominantly 19th and early 20th century commercial streetscape. The stables at the rear also contribute to the architectural amenity of the place. The former bank has significance as an important legacy of the financial institutions established in the town in the 19th century as a result of the prosperity of the gold rush. In particular, this building was constructed in 1871 for the Bank of Victoria. The building is in good condition and is largely intact from the exterior.

The former Bank of Victoria building, 163 Main Street, is architecturally significant at a LOCAL level. It demonstrates original design qualities of a Victorian Conservative Classical style. These qualities include the simple rectangular form and a three-bayed composition of window openings. Other intact or appropriate qualities include the two storey height, unpainted red brick wall construction, masonry base, arched ground floor openings with simple drip moulds supported by simple impost moulds, arched timber framed double hung ground floor windows, timber framed fanlight to original ground floor doorway, recessed wall panels below the ground floor windows, simple rendered stringcourse, first floor rectangular windows with moulded architraves and projecting rendered sills supported by small brackets, minor rendered stringcourse at first floor window sill height, large plain rendered entablature, widely projecting and dentillated cornice and parapet, and the brick chimney with a projecting cornice. The rear stables also contribute to the architectural significance of the place. 

The former Bank of Victoria building, 163 Main Street, is historically significant at a LOCAL level. It is associated with the development of the Bank of Victoria from 1871 until at least the late 19th century.

Overall, the former Bank of Victoria building, 163 Main Street, is of LOCAL significance.