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STATE SAVINGS BANK OF VICTORIA (FORMER)

Other Name

Commonwealth Bank

Location

840 SYDNEY ROAD,, BRUNSWICK VIC 3056 - Property No 19590

Level

Recommended for Heritage Overlay

[1/5]
State Savings Bank of
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State Savings Bank of
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State Savings Bank of
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State Savings Bank of
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State Savings Bank of

Statement of Significance

What is significant?
The former Moreland branch of the State Savings Bank of Victoria at 840 Sydney Road, Brunswick, designed by Godfrey and Spowers and built in 1913, is significant. The rear extension and other non-original alterations and additions are not significant.

How is it significant?
The former State Savings Bank of Victoria at 840 Sydney Road, Brunswick is of local historic, architectural and aesthetic significance to the City of Moreland.

Why is it significant?
It is historically significant as the first branch of the State Savings Bank in Sydney Road, one of two, with the other being built at a later date at the corner of Albert Street and Sydney Road in 1931. It demonstrates the common practice of banks accommodating ground floor commercial premises and accommodation for bank managers at the first-floor level. It is one of a large cohort of banks built by Godfrey & Spowers, renowned architects for the State Savings Bank between c.1900 and 1934. Historically, the former State Savings Bank is significant as a demonstration of this important organisation in Victoria's history prior to its merger with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia in 1991. (Criterion A)
It is significant as a fine example of the Romanesque style as practised in Australia between c.1890 and 1920. It features red brick walls with stucco decoration, mouldings and semi-circular arch-headed windows, which are characteristics of the style. It is a good example of a suite of State Savings Banks designed by Godfrey & Spowers for metropolitan and regional locations. Architecturally it compares well with the former bank at 81-81A Lygon Street and in the Sydney Road shopping strip, with the (much larger) Hooper's Store at 463-475 Sydney Road. (Criterion D)
Aesthetically, it is significant for the fine quality detailing evident in the symmetrical composition and intact upper floor featuring arch-headed windows with banded voussoirs, flat square cappings to the pilasters and a heavy decorative string course, finely detailed pilasters and brick fins creating a finely fluted effect to the building's corners. Aesthetically, derives its significance from the combination of Romanesque semi-circular windows, the combination of red brick and stucco decoration, the decorative parapet and the high degree of brick masonry detail. (Criterion E)

Group