Trustees Chambers including interior

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

The Union Fidelity Trustees Chambers, a two storey bluestone structure with stucco rendered facade was erected in 1857 for the Colonial Bank of Australasia. The former Colonial Bank is a most distinguished Renaissance Revival design and one of the principal works of the architectural partnership of Shaw and Dowden. This finely detailed building is an example of early stucco craftsmanship. The classical tuscan portico, with double engaged columns, unusual string course entablature and palladian bar ironwork, is a most distinctive and central element in the design. The bank, which was erected in a banking precinct at the west end of Malop Street, reflects the prosperity of Geelong in the mid 19th century/

RECOMMENDATIONS: PROTECTIVE MEASURES

Geelong Regional Commission Register

Historic Building Council Register

REFERENCES

Threthowan, Bruce - 'A Study of Banks in Victoria 1851-1939' Report to the Historic Buildings Preservation Council of Victoria, 1976.

Huddle, Lorraine - 'Architects in Geelong in the 1840s and 1850s', Humanities Research Report, Department of Architecture, University of Melbourne, 1979, 3 Vols, Vol 1 - pp. 39-48, Vol 3, p 118.

Geelong Advertiser - 13th September 1856 - tender notice.

13th December 1856 - tenders for new design.

5th May 1857 - tenders for fittings.

27th September 1873 - tenders for additions.

15 July 1886 - tender for additions.

Group

Commercial

Category

Office building