Former National Bank: 460-462 Collins Street, corner William Street, MELBOURNE

Building Profile

Location

Construction Details

Built in the Interwar period in the Palazzo style

Notable features

The building represents one of the later examples of Classical revivial architecture (Inter-War commercial palazzo). Features include the lower storey or base in granite with upper levels of sandstone and prominent classical cornice. The building was completed during 1939, just as the world entered its second great war. At the time of its construction the Bank was hailed as being the first building in this western sector of the city to be carried up the full height allowed by the city building regulations. As such it was seen as having a determining influence on the future development of that part of the city, although this development was delayed by the war years. The building was awarded the Institute of Architects Street Architecture Medal in 1942. This in itself was remarkable, since the award was made at the time when it appeared that Modern (as opposed to Revival) style architecture had taken over as the dominant ideal amongst the Melbourne architectural profession.

History

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