Former Union Bank of Australia, 86 High Street

Statement of Significance

The place represents the continuing importance of the Old Port City in commerce and trade in the Inter-War period. A fine example of a substantially intact commercial building in the Inter-War Free Classical style. The place is of social significance as evidenced by its classification by the National Trust.

Physical Description

Two storey rendered brick with ashlar effect and breakfront (centre of building recessed) façade with a zero setback from the pavement. There is a plain parapet and highly decorative pilasters aside stucco architrave windows on the first floor. The ground floor has three windows with decorative transom lights and there are two entrances; a central entrance with prominent stucco surround, and an entrance with French doors on the right side, both have transom lights. Restoration during 2008 included; external painting, internal adaptation/fit out to the ground floor and first floor; reconstruction of side elevation windows according to archival plans, reconstruction of western side timber paneling to match original.

History

High Street was named by Surveyor General Roe - as was customary in English towns, the main street of the town was named High Street. Eastward from William Street the roadway was completed by convict labour after the Town Hall was built in 1887. High Street around the Town Hall closed to traffic in 1966. The High Street Mall was trialled in November 1973 and made a permanent pedestrian mall in 1975. Union Bank of Australia (fmr) at 86 High Street (formerly known as 84 High Street) was designed by Hobbs, Smith and Forbes and built between the wars for the Union Bank of Australia Ltd. by R. V. Ritchie. The building replaced four earlier shops on the site. Between 1952 and 1956 ownership/occupancy passed to the Australia and New Zealand Bank Ltd. Changes were made to the property in 1960 and 1969. The bank continued to use part of the building until 1990 when it relocated. On 28/11/1990 the property was offered for sale at auction but was not sold until mid-1991. On 28/11/1991 the building opened as a market where handmade glassware, ceramics, toys and wooden goods were sold. The markets closed in July 1992. In June 1996 plans came before Council to develop a restaurant and offices in the building. The place was vacant from at least 2002 until 2008 when the place changed ownership. Restoration and adaptation and fit out were undertaken and the owners/architects (Gentra) received a Heritage Award for Conservation of a Heritage Place.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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