Commercial Bank of Australia Building, Armidale facts for kids

Quick facts for kids CBA Bank
Bank building, 1985
Location	164 Beardy Street, Armidale, Armidale Regional Council, New South Wales, Australia
Built	1882–1885
Architect	NSW Colonial Architect's Office (Barnet and Vernon)
Owner	Joe Barbato Pty Ltd
New South Wales Heritage Register
Official name: CBA Bank (former); CBA Bank; Comfort Lodge; Former Commonwealth Bank
Type	state heritage (built)
Designated	2 April 1999
Reference no.	433
Type	Telegraph Station
Category	Postal and Telecommunications
Builders	C.T. Cook
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The CBA Bank Building in Armidale, New South Wales, is a special old building. It used to be a telegraph office and a bank. Today, it's a place for shops and businesses.

This historic building is located at 164 Beardy Street. It was designed by the Colonial Architect's Office and built between 1882 and 1885. The builder was C.T. Cook. It's also known as Comfort Lodge. The building is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register, which means it's an important part of the state's history.

Building's Early Life

A Telegraph Office

The CBA Bank building was first built for the Land Board Office in the early 1880s. It was designed by a famous architect named James Barnet. Construction started in 1882 and finished in 1885.

In the mid-1880s, this building became the local Telegraph Office. A telegraph office was where people sent messages over long distances using Morse code. The person in charge was called a telegraph master.

In 1889, Robert W. Arnott was the telegraph master here. He also handled money orders and government savings. Back then, it was common for the telegraph master to live in the office building. So, this building was likely a home too!

Changes Over Time

By the 1890s, the telegraph services moved. They joined the post office next door in the Armidale Post Office building. After that, other government offices used this building.

You might notice the building has a covered walkway with arches, called a portico. Some people think this portico was added later. It might have been designed by another Government Architect, Walter Liberty Vernon. The idea was to make it match the post office next door.

The post office's own walkway was added in 1897. Later, it was made even longer. Even though we're not sure which building copied which, they definitely looked similar. They also worked together for many years.

How the Building Changed

From Bank to Shops

In 1918, the building was sold to the State Savings Bank. Then, in 1932, the Commercial Bank of Australia (CBA) took it over.

In the late 1930s, some changes were made. The open arches of the portico were filled in with windows. Old photos from 1936 show two chimneys on the roof, but they are gone now.

By 1985, the building was empty for a few years. A new owner wanted to remove the windows from the arches. This would bring back its original open look. People who care about history really liked this idea.

Protecting the Building

Because of its importance, the building was given special protection. In 1985, an order was put in place to help save it. A permanent order followed in 1986, signed by Bob Carr, who was a government minister.

In 1986, the windows were removed from the arches. The original open spaces were restored. New timber shop fronts were put in. Since then, the building has been used for retail shops. In 1991, new glass shop windows were added under the arches.

The building's slate roof was damaged by hail in 1996. Parts of it had to be replaced. The building was also repainted in 2005.

What the Building Looks Like

The former CBA Bank building is on Beardy Street. This street is now a pedestrian mall, meaning only people can walk there. The building stands right on the footpath.

It's a two-storey building made of brick. The front, facing the street, is covered in a smooth, painted finish. The front of the building is balanced and even. It has a covered entrance with four round arches on the ground floor.

Above the arches, there's a fancy decorative wall called a parapet. The top floor has four windows with rounded tops. The roof is made of slate and is shaped like a pyramid or a hipped roof.

Building Style

The building's front shows elements of the Victorian Italianate style. This style was popular in the 1800s. You can see it in:

• The smooth, painted front.
• The rounded window openings.
• The arched walkway (loggia).
• The decorative supports under the roof (brackets).
• The pyramid-shaped roof.

James Barnet, the Colonial Architect, built many government buildings in New South Wales in this Italianate style.

Materials and Details

The front of the building has special decorations. These include painted brick supports under the roof. There are also decorative bands and special stones above the arches.

The back and side walls are different. They are made of brown brick. They have red-brown brick supports above the windows. The roof is slate, and parts of it have been fixed over the years. There are no chimneys on the main building now. The inside of the building has also been changed, and fireplaces have been removed.

Behind the main building, there's a smaller, square brick building. We don't know when it was built. This smaller building has a corrugated iron roof. It also has small pointed roof sections for ventilation and a tall brick chimney.

Why It's Important

The former CBA Bank building is a very important part of Armidale's history. It's one of the best groups of old government buildings in New South Wales. It stands out in the Beardy Street pedestrian mall. This area is part of the Armidale Conservation Area, which means it's protected.

Its arched walkway looks great with the walkway on the Armidale Post Office next door. Together, these buildings make the street look historic and beautiful. They are important to the people of Armidale.

The building is also important because it shows the work of James Barnet, the Colonial Architect. It's a reminder of the telegraph network that connected places in the 1800s.

The CBA Bank building was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999 because it meets several important rules:

• It shows how history unfolded in New South Wales.

* It's linked to Armidale's growth as a town. * It shows how the government improved services like communication in the 1800s. * It's connected to James Barnet, who designed it. * It shows how businesses changed over the 1900s.

• It's beautiful and shows great design.

* It's part of an important historic area in Armidale. * Its balanced front looks nice with other buildings nearby. * It fits well with the Post Office and the Court House.

• It's important to the community.

* As a well-known building in a historic area, it helps Armidale residents feel connected to their town's past.

• It could teach us more about history.

* The ground where the building stands might hold old items. These could tell us more about how the site was used, especially by the Telegraph Office.

• It's a good example of its type.

* It's part of a group of NSW government buildings. * It shows the typical work of the Colonial Architect's office.