FORMER UNION BANK OF AUSTRALIA
165-167 SMITH STREET FITZROY, YARRA CITY
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Statement of Significance
What is significant?
The Former Union Bank of Australia was constructed in 1889-90 to the design of architects Inskip and Robertson. The two storey rendered brick building combines a bank with a manager’s residence.
How is it significant?
The Former Union Bank of Australia is of architectural and historical significance to the State of Victoria.
Why is it significant?
The Former Union Bank of Australia is of architectural significance as an excellent and rare example of an intact boom style bank building and attached residence and for its associations with the architect George Inskip. Although the bank and residence are clearly distinct, their integration is successfully and distinctively achieved. The bank’s corner entrance is unusual for a public building, while the detailing employed in the facade is eclectic and includes reduced elevated pediments over the windows, Greek key patterning at ground floor impost level, draped ionic entrance consoles and sill panels with relief mouldings. Of particular interest are the cantilevered entrance pediment and the vase and sunflower cement reliefs to the pilaster panels of the loggia. Both are devices associated with the English Queen Anne revival and the work of the English architect Norman Shaw. Their appearance in a building of this period in Melbourne is an example of relatively quick transfer of architectural style to the colonies. This, in turn, is indicative of the knowledge and skill of the building’s principal architect, George Inskip, one of the finest exponents of Boom Classicism bank design in Victoria. Inskip’s prominence in the profession was illustrated by the fact that he was president of the Royal Victorian Institute of Architects for three successive terms.
The Former Union Bank of Australia is of historical significance as an expression of developments within the Australian banking industry at the end of the 19th century. The building’s decorative and expressive facade provides an interesting contrast to the conservative National Bank of the 1860s opposite, reflecting the impact of more aggressive British banks on the Australian banking industry.
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FORMER UNION BANK OF AUSTRALIA - History
Associated People: INSKIP AND ROBERTSONFORMER UNION BANK OF AUSTRALIA - Permit Exemptions
General Exemptions:General exemptions apply to all places and objects included in the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR). General exemptions have been designed to allow everyday activities, maintenance and changes to your property, which don’t harm its cultural heritage significance, to proceed without the need to obtain approvals under the Heritage Act 2017.Places of worship: In some circumstances, you can alter a place of worship to accommodate religious practices without a permit, but you must notify the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria before you start the works or activities at least 20 business days before the works or activities are to commence.Subdivision/consolidation: Permit exemptions exist for some subdivisions and consolidations. If the subdivision or consolidation is in accordance with a planning permit granted under Part 4 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and the application for the planning permit was referred to the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria as a determining referral authority, a permit is not required.Specific exemptions may also apply to your registered place or object. If applicable, these are listed below. Specific exemptions are tailored to the conservation and management needs of an individual registered place or object and set out works and activities that are exempt from the requirements of a permit. Specific exemptions prevail if they conflict with general exemptions. Find out more about heritage permit exemptions here.
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