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FORMER BANK OF AUSTRALASIA

Location

57 MOSTYN STREET CASTLEMAINE, MOUNT ALEXANDER SHIRE

File Number

10/030650

Level

Registered

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FORMER BANK OF AUSTRALASIA
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1 former bank of australasia
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former bank of australasia

Statement of Significance

The Former Bank of Australasia which was built in 1855 at a cost of £2500 was designed by the architect John Gill and built by James Kibble. It is a two storey building constructed of rendered brick with a hip-and-valley slate roof. As an example of conservative classicism, the bank has smooth rustication and semi-circular arched windows on the lower storey and a smooth face with quoining and rectangular windows on the upper storey. The major facade has a symmetrically placed single-storey portico with a simple Georgian fan-light over the doorway. The lower windows have iron grilles but are not otherwise embellished. The eaves are bracketed. Conservative classicism is not an unusual style in bank architecture and this building is not exceptional in its facade treatment. It does however have one exception and that is that the eaves are exposed rather than hidden behind a parapet. In this respect it shows a closer association to English Renaissance rather than to the Italianate mode of other banks of the era.

This building is also notable as an example of the work of John Gill, one of the earliest and most prolific architects in Victoria. His practice, which began in the mid 1840s and lasted until his death in 1866, included the design of St John's Anglican Church, Heidelberg, Royal Terrace, Collins Street Baptist Church (first stage), Holyman House and the Goldsborough Mort building. The former bank of Australasia is a rare example of his work in bank architecture.

[Source: Historic Buildings Council]

Group