This building, which was designed by architectural firm Penty & Lawrence, (Francis Penty and Charles Alexander Lawrence) was erected in 1912, to replace the Union Bank of Australia (built 1881) which had burnt down on 16 September 1910.
The new banking chamber took up two-thirds of the ground floor (excluding the manager’s residence). Its four 16 ft high pillars consisted of steel cylinders reinforced with concrete. The remaining third of the ground floor included the manager’s office, and the strong room. The single storey back portion of the building contained the manager’s dining room, kitchen, toilet, washhouse, etc. The upper floor, accessed from Coleman Place, included the drawing room and six bedrooms.
In 1925, two shops (designed by Swan Lawrence & Swan) were built where the single storey block had been. Meanwhile the upper floor became offices. A café and a bar now occupy the former banking chamber.
