English, Scottish and Australian Bank, The Rocks facts for kids
Quick facts for kids English, Scottish and Australian Bank, The Rocks (former) |
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The former English, Scottish and Australian Bank, The Rocks branch, pictured in 2012
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| Location | 131-135 George Street, The Rocks, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1886 |
| Architect | William Wardell |
| Architectural style(s) | Venetian Gothic Revival |
| Owner | Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority |
| Official name: English Scottish & Australian Chartered Bank (former) - Amo Roma Restaurant; Vault Restaurant; Instit. Marine Power Engineers; Five Bells; Ox on the Rocks | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 10 May 2002 |
| Reference no. | 1544 |
| Type | Bank |
| Category | Commercial |
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The former English, Scottish and Australian Bank building in The Rocks, Sydney, is a very old and important building. It used to be a bank, but now it's a restaurant. You can find it at 131-135 George Street in The Rocks, a historic area of Sydney.
The building was designed by a famous architect named William Wardell and was built in 1886. Over the years, it has been known by different names, including the English Scottish & Australian Chartered Bank, Amo Roma Restaurant, Vault Restaurant, Institute of Marine Power Engineers, Five Bells, and Ox on the Rocks. The Government of New South Wales now owns this property through the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 10 May 2002 because of its special history and design.
History of the Building
Early Uses of the Site
The land where the bank building stands has a long history. In 1788, when Europeans first arrived in Australia, this spot was home to the very first hospital in the country. Imagine that!
In 1816, the hospital moved to a new location on Macquarie Street. After that, the site was used for homes and small shops. People lived in boarding houses here, and there were little stores. By 1883, all those older buildings were taken down to make way for something new.
The English, Scottish and Australian Bank
In 1883, the English, Scottish and Australian Bank (ES&A Bank) bought the land. They hired the architect William Wardell to design their new bank building. The bank opened its doors in 1885.
The building had two floors and was made of beautiful sandstone with a slate roof. It was built in a special style called Venetian Gothic Revival. This style was popular for banks at the time.
Around 1900, there was a health crisis called the bubonic plague. Because of this, the government took control of the land, including the bank building, for a short time. The ES&A Bank got their building back in 1909.
The bank grew a lot in the 1920s. But in the 1930s, during a tough economic time called the Great Depression, many banks had to close. The Rocks branch of the ES&A Bank closed in 1934.
Australian Institute of Marine and Power Engineers
In 1938, the ES&A Bank sold the building to the Australian Institute of Marine and Power Engineers (AIMPE). This group is a union for people who work on ships and with power engines. They used the building as their offices until 1971, when they moved to Ultimo.
Changes by the Sydney Cove Redevelopment Authority
In 1971, the Sydney Cove Redevelopment Authority (SCRA) took over the property. This authority helps to redevelop and preserve historic areas like The Rocks.
In the mid-1970s, the area around the building changed. Some old storage buildings behind the bank were removed. This made space for a new building for the State Archives and a pathway called Nurses Walk. The bank building itself also got some new parts, like a Gothic-style porch and an outdoor wooden staircase at the back.
The Building Becomes a Restaurant
In 1974, the building was changed again to become a wine bar and restaurant. The old office walls were removed to create open dining areas, and kitchens were put in. Today, the building still operates as a restaurant, welcoming many visitors.
Building Design and Features
The English, Scottish and Australian Chartered Bank building was designed by William Wardell. It has two stories and seven rooms. The outside is made of sandstone with a slate roof. It has a unique Gothic style that was often used by the ES&A Bank and Wardell.
How the Building Has Changed
The building has been changed and updated many times over the years:
- 1890s/1910s: More brick buildings were added to the back.
- Around 1920: Storage areas and workshops were added.
- 1938: The AIMPE made changes to the building when they moved in.
- 1976: The SCRA removed all the extra buildings at the back.
- 1979: A new porch and connecting stairs were added when the State Archives building was finished.
Why This Building Is Important
The former English, Scottish and Australian Bank building is very important to the history and culture of New South Wales. It's special for many reasons:
- Historical Value: The site shows how people used land in early Sydney. It was home to Australia's first hospital and played a part in events like the bubonic plague outbreak and the Great Depression. It also connects to the "Green Bans" movement of the 1960s and 70s, when people fought to save historic buildings in The Rocks.
- Architectural Design: The building was designed by the famous architect William Wardell. It's one of only a few surviving bank buildings designed by him in the unique Venetian Gothic Revival style. This style was unusual for banks at the time, which usually looked more classical. It shows Wardell's creative way of using this style.
- Rarity: This building is a rare example of a small, secular (non-religious) Gothic Revival building designed by William Wardell. It's one of only two such bank buildings by him that still exist.
- Community Connection: The building is part of The Rocks area, which is highly valued by the community and visitors for its history and culture.
The building's front facade, made of yellow Pyrmont sandstone, and its original brass entrance door are very important parts of its design. Even though it has changed over time, it still shows the original ideas of William Wardell's design.
