Commonwealth Bank Building, Gladstone facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Commonwealth Bank Building, Gladstone |
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Santos House, former Commonwealth Bank, 2014
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| Location | 114 Goondoon Street, Gladstone, Gladstone Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1919 - 1930s (interwar period) |
| Built | 1928 - 1929 |
| Architectural style(s) | Mediterranean |
| Official name: Commonwealth Bank Building (former) | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 28 July 2000 |
| Reference no. | 601338 |
| Significant period | 1920s (fabric) 1929-1972 (historical use by Commonwealth bank) |
| Significant components | basement / sub-floor, loggia/s, banking chamber, trees/plantings, strong room |
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The Commonwealth Bank Building in Gladstone is an old bank building with a rich history. It was built between 1928 and 1929. This building is special because it's listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. This means it's an important part of Queensland's history and needs to be protected.
Contents
Why Was This Bank Building Built?
The Commonwealth Bank's Start
The Commonwealth Bank of Australia was created in 1911. It was Australia's first bank that could handle both savings and regular bank accounts. The government guaranteed all the money in it. This made people feel safe about using the new bank.
In 1912, the bank started its savings department in Queensland. It used many post offices across the state as small branches. The Gladstone Post Office was the Commonwealth Bank's first spot in Gladstone until 1921.
Moving to a New Location
Before the Commonwealth Bank, the Queensland Government Savings Bank had an office in Gladstone. This office was on Goondoon Street. In 1920, the Commonwealth Bank took over the Queensland Government Savings Bank. All the banking business then moved to the Goondoon Street office.
By the 1920s, Gladstone's main business area was moving. It was shifting closer to the railway station. The Commonwealth Bank decided it needed a new, bigger building. It wanted to be closer to where all the action was.
Designing a Modern Bank
In 1927, the bank bought some empty land on Goondoon Street. In 1928, plans were drawn for a new building. It was designed in a "Spanish style," also known as Mediterranean style. This style was very popular back then. The bank wanted its building to look modern, strong, and trustworthy.
The new building would have two floors. The ground floor was for the main banking area. The upstairs floor was for the bank manager's home.
Building the Bank
A local builder named Mr. F.F. Hill started construction in November 1928. The building cost about £8,384. It was finished in August 1929. The bank officially opened for business in September 1929.
When it was new, people said it was the best bank building in Gladstone. It had a grand entrance with columns. Inside, there was a large banking hall with three teller windows. The manager's office was at the front. There was also a strong room for money and important documents.
The Bank During Important Times
World War II and Growth
During World War II, the Gladstone bank helped with the war effort. It helped people buy Commonwealth Bonds to support the country. It also managed rationing for things like meat and clothing.
After the war, in the 1940s and 1950s, Australia grew a lot. Many new people came to live here. The Commonwealth Bank opened hundreds of new branches. In 1959, the bank changed its name to the Commonwealth Banking Corporation.
Gladstone's Boom and a New Bank
In the 1960s and 1970s, Gladstone became very busy. New industries like alumina refineries and power stations opened. This meant more people and more businesses. The bank in Gladstone became too small.
By 1970, the Gladstone office had over 7,800 savings accounts. It also had 800 cheque accounts. The building just wasn't big enough anymore. So, in 1970, the bank bought land across the street. A new, larger bank was built there. The new bank opened in February 1972. The old building was sold a month later.
Today, the old Commonwealth Bank Building is used by Santos Limited, an oil and gas company.
What Does the Building Look Like?
The former Commonwealth Bank Building is a two-story building. It's made of brick and concrete. It stands in the middle of Gladstone's business area. It has a classic Mediterranean style. You can see this in its arched windows and tiled roof.
Outside the Building
The front of the building faces Goondoon Street. It has a central entrance with three arches. Steps lead up to this entrance. The first-floor balcony above the entrance used to be open. Now, it has glass panels. Another balcony on the side has been closed in with bricks and windows.
One window on the front has been changed into a doorway. This allows people to go straight upstairs from the street. Most of the other original windows are still there.
Inside the Building
The ground floor was the main banking area. It has been updated with a new ceiling and air conditioning. But you can still see how it used to be. The old wooden counter and teller windows are gone. However, the entrance and manager's office are still there. This helps you imagine what it was like as a bank.
There's a staircase that goes down to the basement. The basement used to have a strongroom. Another wooden staircase goes up to the first floor. This floor used to be the bank manager's home. Now, it's been changed into office spaces. There are also outside stairs at the back that go from the first floor to the backyard.
A concrete extension has been added to the back of the building. This addition didn't change the main building much.
Why Is It a Heritage Site?
The former Commonwealth Bank Building was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 2000. It's important for several reasons:
- Showing History: It helps us understand how Gladstone grew as a regional town. It was one of many important public buildings built in Gladstone between the two World Wars. This shows that Gladstone was still developing even during tough economic times.
- Great Design: The building shows the high quality of government building design from that time. Its outside still looks impressive. It's a key part of the main street in Gladstone.
- Community Connection: This building, along with others from its time, helped shape Gladstone's look in the 20th century. It's still an important landmark for the community.
- Bank's History: It has a strong link to the Commonwealth Bank's work in Gladstone for over 40 years (1929-1972). During this time, Gladstone went through big changes. This included the Great Depression, World War II, and a huge period of growth.
