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Former Colonial Bank

Other Names Australian Land & Development Co. ,  Independant Order of Rachabites Location 518 Elizabeth Street,, CARLTON VIC 3053 - Property No B6974 File Number B6974 Level Regional

[1/1] B6974 Former Colonial Bank

Statement of Significance

The former Colonial Bank, designed by prolific 19th century architects Smith & Johnson in 1888, is of Regional significance for architectural and historical reasons.
The bank is notable as a particularly large and impressive example of a Victorian era building on a triangular corner site, and is a landmark at a busy city intersection. The architectural expression is finely executed, the main facade consisting of an arcaded and trabeated Renaissance Revival form, featuring paired Ionic pilasters on the piano nobile, and a large attic floor, which simply wraps around the acute angled corner. The one bay of the facade facing the corner is distinctive for being curved, and features a broken arched pediment over the main door.
With the name of the Independant Order of Rechabites clearly visible in the cement render of the facade, the building is the most prominent reminder of one of the major benefit societies active in Melbourne in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Classified: 05/07/1999