North Fitzroy ANZ Bank : 370-374 Queens Parade, FITZROY NORTH

Building Profile

Location

Construction Details

Built in the Edwardian period in the Queen Anne style

Notable features

The ANZ Bank building in Queens Parade Fitzroy North is of architectural significance as one of the best examples of English Queen Anne Revival style commercial architecture in Melbourne. The building is prominent in the Queens Parade/Heidelberg Road intersection and its importance is emphasized by the corner tower, steep pitched roof and tall chimneys. The decorative brick and render bands give contrast to the precise red brick work. The buildings architect, Henry Kemp, was one of Melbournes best exponents of the style. Kemp was also responsible for the Australian Building in Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, which, when built around the same time as the ANZ Bank building, was reputed to be Australias tallest building. The demolition of the Australian Building in 1980 gives the ANZ Bank building added significance, given the latter appears to have been a scaled down version of the former. The North Fitzroy bank is the only metropolitan example of Queen Anne style bank buildings in Victoria, the other seven being country buildings. The influence of the important English architect, Richard Shaw, the leading architect of the Queen Anne Revival style in London, is clearly evident in the ANZ Bank building.

History

The ANZ Bank building in Queens Parade Fitzroy North was built in 1889 to the design of Oakden Addison and Kemp for the London Chartered Bank. Subsequently the building was used as a bank by the Bank of Australasia (1893), the ES & A Bank (1921) and the ANZ Bank (1970). The street entry has been modernized as has the bank interior, but the managers residence above is substantially intact, although not in good condition.

• National Trust (B3324)


• Victorian Heritage Register (H0892) - North Fitzroy ANZ Bank is protected by state law

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