Commonwealth Bank Building, Townsville facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Commonwealth Bank Building, Townsville |
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Former Commonwealth Bank building, Townsville
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| Location | 272-278 Flinders Street, Townsville CBD, City of Townsville, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1919 - 1930s (interwar period) |
| Built | 1923 |
| Architect | John and Herwald Kirkpatrick |
| Architectural style(s) | Classicism |
| Official name: Commonwealth Bank of Australia (former), Commonwealth Savings Bank, Townsville City Council Library | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 29 October 2004 |
| Reference no. | 602471 |
| Significant period | 1920s (fabric) 1924-1977 (historical use as a bank). |
| Significant components | flagpole/flagstaff, banking chamber |
| Builders | Charles Hanson & Sons |
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The Commonwealth Bank Building in Townsville, Queensland, is a very old and important building. It used to be a bank, but now it's a heritage-listed site. This means it's protected because of its history and special design. It was built in 1923 and was the first building made specifically for the Commonwealth Bank in Townsville.
Contents
A Bank's Journey in Townsville
The Commonwealth Bank of Australia started in 1912. It was Australia's first bank that could handle both savings and general banking. The very first country branch (a branch outside of a capital city) opened in Townsville in 1913.
Early Locations
Before the grand new building, the bank operated from rented places. In 1920, the Commonwealth Bank joined with the Queensland Government Savings Bank. This led to the bank moving into the former savings bank's rented office.
Later, the bank bought a piece of land on Flinders Street, right next to the Post Office. This was the perfect spot for their new, purpose-built building.
Designing the New Bank
The famous Sydney architects John and Herwald Kirkpatrick designed the new Townsville bank. They also designed other important Commonwealth Bank buildings, including the main office in Sydney. John Kirkpatrick was even a friend of the bank's Governor!
Building with New Technology
The new bank building was constructed in 1923. It cost about £30,000, which was a lot of money back then! Townsville builders Charles Hanson and Sons built it.
This building was special because it was made of reinforced concrete and brick. This was a very new and modern way to build tall buildings at the time. The supervising architect, Walter Hunt, was known for using reinforced concrete in his designs.
The builders even used an electric dynamo to help lift the concrete to the upper floors. This made the work much easier and faster.
What the Bank Looked Like Inside
The new building had two floors. The ground floor was for the bank itself. It had a large banking chamber where customers did their transactions. There was also a strong room, which was like a super-safe vault, said to be the biggest in North Queensland! It was reinforced with steel railway rails.
The first floor had offices, including those for the Deputy Public Curator. The building was designed to be very bright and airy, with special windows that could adjust to any angle. It even had fans throughout and was wired for electricity.
When Did it Open?
There's a bit of a mystery about the exact opening date. Some reports say the bank was in its new building by February 1924. However, the Commonwealth Bank's own records suggest it opened on 14 July 1924. Either way, it was a very important new building for Townsville.
Changes Over Time
During World War II, the bank helped the government raise money for the war effort. It also helped with things like rationing meat and clothes.
In the 1950s, the building got a makeover. The counters and fittings were replaced, lighting was improved, and new floors were laid. They even thought about adding two more floors, but it was too expensive at the time.
A New Home for the Bank
By the late 1960s, the Townsville branch had grown a lot, with many staff members. The old building was getting too crowded. So, the bank decided to build a brand new, much larger building further down Flinders Street.
The Commonwealth Bank moved to its new, four-story building with a tall tower in 1977. At that time, it was the biggest bank branch in Australia outside of the capital cities!
From Bank to Library
After the bank moved out, the Townsville City Council took over the old building in 1978. They turned it into the Townsville City Council Library. The library stayed there until 2003, when it moved next door.
Today, the building is still a landmark in Townsville.
What the Building Looks Like
The former Commonwealth Bank building is a two-story building made of reinforced concrete. It faces Flinders Street and also goes through to Ogden Street at the back.
The Front View
The front of the building has five sections, called "bays." The middle three bays stick out a little. There are four tall columns that look like they're made of stone, but they're actually made of render (a type of plaster). These columns have a cool, banded design.
The windows are made of steel and can open in different ways. At the bottom, there's a low wall, or plinth, covered in grey granite. There are two doorways: the main one in the middle and another on the side that leads to stairs for the first floor.
Above the middle section, there's a decorative ledge called a cornice. You can still see faint marks where the bank's name used to be written. On top of the roof, there's a low wall called a parapet with a flagpole behind it.
The Back View
The back of the building, facing Ogden Street, looks much simpler. It's plain and practical, without all the fancy decorations of the front. The walls are painted, and the windows are different sizes depending on what's inside. There's also a single door with a roller shutter for access.
Why This Building is Special
The former Commonwealth Bank building is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. This means it's considered very important to Queensland's history and culture.
- A Piece of History: It shows how the Commonwealth Bank grew and how Townsville played a big part in its early days. It was the first building built just for the bank in Townsville.
- Unique Design: It's a rare example of the work of John and Herwald Kirkpatrick, the first architects for the Commonwealth Bank. They created a consistent look for bank buildings across Australia.
- Beautiful Landmark: The building adds to the historical feel of Flinders Street in Townsville. It stands proudly among other important old buildings like the Post Office and the Perc Tucker Gallery.
- Smart Engineering: It was one of the first multi-story buildings in Townsville to use reinforced concrete. This was a very new and clever building technique in the early 1900s.
- Important People: The building is linked to the work of the Kirkpatrick architects and Walter Hunt, who were pioneers in using reinforced concrete.
