The ANZ bank is located at the corner of Collins Street in Melbourne. It was formerly known as English, Scottish, and Australia Bank (ES & A Bank). It was built in 1883. It was next to the former Melbourne Stock Exchange, which was constructed in 1981. In 1921, the two buildings were combined to form the ANZ Bank’s headquarters. William Wardell designed ES & A Bank. The construction started in 1883 and was completed in 1887. On the other hand, the architect for the Stock Exchange was William Pit and was constructed and completed in 1891.
ES & A Bank was quite restrained when it was constructed. It was made of high ceilings. Similarly, it has lancet windows couples with a narrow spire. This was where the bank’s general manager resided. Conversely, the former Stock Exchange had quite a flamboyant appearance. It had decorations. The glass was stained, and at the very top of the structure, there was a rose window.
The purpose of the building was to act as bank. People would keep their money and valuables in the building. ANZ bank was one the fanciest back during that era, and it was a privilege to deposit money in the bank.
The bank was just breathtaking. The architecture used the gothic revival style. Gothic Architecture is a style used in Europe form the 12th Century until the 16th Century. It is associated with a masonry building that used dense cavernous spaces. The walls were broken up using overlaid tracery and were common in the cathedrals. Thus, ES & A bank had rib vaults with flying buttresses. Additionally, it had pointed gothic arches and stained glass windows. The verticality of the structure was emphasized with the lancet windows and the lofty ceilings.
The building was constructed in a style that suggested it was a religious building. However, the architect was thinking of the beautiful aesthetic of the gothic style. The style was very attractive during the industrialization era.
The specifications of the building were laid out by George Verdon, who was the general manager. The contractor was Goss and Mason, while the Clerk of Works was Alexander Todd.
The total cost for constructing the ANZ Bank was £77,000, and this was twice the initial.
Externally, the bank’s style is restrained. However, internally the building is very graceful and ornate.
This could be influenced by the architect Wardell who was a known figure in the church architecture.
The ground floor acted as the banking chamber while the general manager resided on the first and second floors. However, the floor was late leased to the Lyceum Club when the general manager retired. The bank had the Vardon changes that were quite large and magnificent.
The ANZ Bank is quite significant in architecture because it was the first to be constructed in the gothic style. Its purpose was to be a trademark in the banking corporation. Its scale and ornate grandeur are also significant. Its unique interior and exterior design of the ANZ Bank be considered as one of the most exquisite designs in Melbourne during this era. The association with prominent architects also made the bank to e architecturally significant.
The ANZ bank is historically significant. It was the banking headquarters of the ES & A Bank. Its location was quite strategic, as this was the most important location of the Australian business center. The building itself illustrates the banking rooms of the 1880s.
The residence was an example of the bank residence’s inner-city that started in Melbourne in the 1880s.
Similarly, the ANZ Bank became socially significant when the general manager retires. It hosted the Lyceum Clubrooms that was created in 1921. It was a club for women who loved and were committed to music, medicine, art and music, and community service. The architectural building structure suited its social significant more than the building is a banking hall.
It crowns the bank majestically. The residence is made up of 17 rooms that have gorgeous and valuable artwork. Its lavish features have enabled to ensure that the bank became an iconic landmark in Melbourne and has been well-maintained for future generations.
James Bell did the carpentry was, and he used 1,961 pounds of gold. The bank has a detailed joiner paneling and furnishings. Warden stated the bank American walnut doors and panels. However, Bell modified the doors and created a linen-fold door. The carpentry on the third floor was made of deal, and the furniture was made using Blackwood.
William J Maxwell did the stone carvings. Likewise, the painting and decoration of the bank were done by Lyons Wells, Cottier, and Co. the Bank’s decoration is made up of ornamental stenciling and panels that been brightened using gold leaf and the marked with Japanese paper. The ceilings are decorated with patterns from the Heraldic-Protestant style.
The walls, balcony, and the exterior decoration were Venetian inspired. The loggia was designed using triple-glazed windows with the purpose off preventing the dining room from the sun.
The ANZ Bank is an architecturally magnificent building. It adopted the gothic style. The purpose of the building was to act as a bank in which people could store their valuables. However, the design of the bank represented a place of residence. This can be attributed to the fact that the general manager resided on the second and third floors. Thus the design catered for the manager’s requirements. For example, the dining room has an angel turret that allowed hoi nth to see any oncoming ships. All in all, the building is a work of art.