Queensland National Bank, South Brisbane facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Queensland National Bank, South Brisbane |
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Queensland National Bank building, South Brisbane, ca. 1928
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| Location | 39 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1919 - 1930s (interwar period) |
| Built | 1929 |
| Architect | Addison & MacDonald |
| Architectural style(s) | Classicism |
| Official name: Queensland National Bank (former), South Brisbane Branch, Ng House | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 26 May 2000 |
| Reference no. | 602134 |
| Significant period | 1920s (fabric) 1929-1978 (historical use as bank) |
| Significant components | strong room |
| Builders | Albert Stonadge & Son |
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The Queensland National Bank Building is a historic building in South Brisbane, Australia. It used to be a bank. The building was designed by Addison & MacDonald and built in 1929 by Albert Stonadge & Son. Today, it is also known as Ng House. This building is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, which means it is an important part of Queensland's history and culture.
Contents
A Look Back: The Bank's History
This building was first built as a branch of the Queensland National Bank in South Brisbane. It opened for business on July 31, 1929. Local builders, A Stonadge and Son, constructed it.
The Land's Early Days
The land where the bank stands was first sold in 1854. This was during a time when land sales in Brisbane were booming. The land was part of the original town area. It was affected by big changes in South Brisbane, like new public transport and wider roads. The area was also flooded in the 1890s.
Over the years, the land changed hands many times. Before the bank was built, there were boarding houses here. These places offered rooms for workers and visitors. Later, a building called Pikes Building stood here. State government offices, like the Department of Water Supply, used to be in that building.
Becoming a Bank Site
In 1925, the South Brisbane City Council took over the land. Then, in 1927, part of the land was set aside for road use. The Queensland National Bank bought a section of this land in September 1927. People at the time thought this corner was a "gem position" for business.
The Brisbane City Council approved plans for the new bank building in October 1928. Albert Stonadge and Son won the job to build it. The construction cost about £339. While the new building was being built, the bank operated from a temporary spot nearby.
Why This Location Was Important
The bank was built on a busy corner in South Brisbane. This area was growing with many businesses and industries. The Queensland National Bank wanted to attract more customers, especially importers and merchants.
The location was great for transport too. Trams from many areas stopped right at this corner. Also, the nearby Melbourne Street railway station became a major train stop. This made it easy for many people to access the bank.
Bank Competition and Growth
The South Brisbane branch was one of many new branches the Queensland National Bank opened in the 1920s. This showed the bank's strong belief in the area's future. They wanted to get a big share of Queensland's money market. The Commonwealth Bank of Australia also had a branch next door, showing how competitive banking was. The design of the building itself showed this confidence and desire to compete.
Changes in Ownership
In 1949, the bank building was taken over by the National Bank of Australasia. They owned it until 1978, when the branch closed. The property was sold a few more times. In 1983, the current owners bought it.
Today, the building is home to an accounting company called Roger Ng & Co. It is now known as Ng House.
What the Building Looks Like
The former Queensland National Bank building is two stories tall. It is made of brick covered in a smooth finish. The roof is made of corrugated iron, but you can't see all of it because of a fancy, decorated wall at the top.
The building wraps around the corner of Melbourne and Grey Streets. It has a few gentle turns, with columns (called pilasters) marking each change. The side facing Grey Street has five sections, separated by pairs of tall columns. There's a copper door on Grey Street with a classical design above it. Another entrance is also on this side. The side facing Melbourne Street has two sections, also marked by columns.
Both the ground and first floors have windows that can slide up and down. Between the upper and lower windows, there are square copper panels.
Inside the Bank
The inside of the building has been updated over time. The main entrance area has a decorated plaster ceiling. An archway leads to a hallway with offices on each side. Some of the original wooden doors are still there. The original strong room, a very secure room for money, is in the back corner of the ground floor.
A staircase with a copper handrail leads to the first floor. The railing on the first floor landing is made of old cast iron. The offices on the first floor are currently empty.
Why This Building Is Important
The former Queensland National Bank (South Brisbane Branch) was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on May 26, 2000. This means it is officially recognized as a special place.
Showing Queensland's History
This building helps us understand how Queensland's history unfolded. It shows how banks helped the economy grow in the late 1920s. It also represents the strength and stability of the bank it once was.
A Rare Piece of the Past
Many old buildings in South Brisbane have been changed or replaced. This former bank is one of the few remaining buildings that show what the area used to look like. This makes it quite rare and special.
Beautiful and Important to the Area
The building is beautiful to look at. Along with the old Commonwealth Bank building next door, it adds to the look of Grey Street. Because it's on a corner, it's a well-known landmark in South Brisbane. It was even included in a study of important heritage sites in the area.
Connected to the Community
This building was built specifically to be a bank. It has a strong connection to the many people who used to bank there. It represents a big part of Queensland's and Australia's banking history.
Designed by Talented People
The building is also important because of the people who designed and built it. It shows the work of the well-known Brisbane architectural firm Addison and MacDonald, and the local builders A Stonadge and Son.
