Royal Bank of Queensland, Rockhampton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Royal Bank of Queensland, Rockhampton |
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Former Royal Bank of Queensland, Rockhampton, 2009
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| Location | 194 Quay Street, Rockhampton, Rockhampton Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s - 1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | 1888 |
| Official name: Royal Bank Building (former), Diamonds & Pearls, Rivers Restaurant, Winchcombe Carson | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600808 |
| Significant period | ?-1880s (fabric) 1887-1958 (historical use as bank) |
| Significant components | banking chamber, strong room, loggia/s, fireplace, residential accommodation - manager's house/quarters |
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The Royal Bank of Queensland Building is a historic building in Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia. It used to be a bank. It was built in 1888 and is located on Quay Street. Today, it's also known as Diamonds & Pearls, Rivers Restaurant, and Winchcombe Carson. This building is special because it's listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, which means it's an important part of Queensland's history.
Contents
A Look Back: The Building's Story
This building wasn't always as you see it today. In July 1888, a second floor and other parts were added to an older building on the same spot. A famous Rockhampton architect named John William Wilson designed these new parts. The building work was done by Wakefield McLean & Co.
Early Days and the Royal Bank
The land where the bank stands was first bought in 1858 by William Archer. For a short time, a newspaper called the Rockhampton Morning Bulletin might have used a building here. But that building was later destroyed by fire.
In 1887, the Royal Bank of Queensland bought the land. This bank was new, started in 1885 in Brisbane. It aimed to be a strong competitor to another big bank, the Queensland National Bank. By 1889, the Royal Bank had many branches, including one in Rockhampton.
The Royal Bank in Rockhampton was in a busy area on Quay Street. Other important banks and businesses were nearby. This shows how important Quay Street was for trade and money at the time.
Building a Bigger Bank
The Royal Bank needed more space. So, in mid-1888, they temporarily moved their business. This allowed construction to begin on the additions to their building.
New plans for the bank were shared in July 1888. They included adding a second floor to the building. There would also be six new rooms on the ground floor at the back. The front of the building would be about 10.6 meters (35 feet) tall. It would have an arched balcony on the top floor.
The ground floor was designed to have a large banking area. It also had a strong room for valuables, a manager's office, and a big dining room. The whole project was planned to be finished in just four months.
The Architect: John William Wilson
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John William Wilson was a very important architect in Rockhampton. He designed many buildings from 1864 to the 1890s. He designed six of the buildings on Quay Street before 1901. In total, he designed over 200 buildings in the central Queensland area. He really shaped the look of Rockhampton.
Rockhampton's Boom Time
The Royal Bank building is in Rockhampton's main business area. This area grew a lot in the late 1800s because of the busy wharves. Rockhampton was a major port for trade in Central Queensland since 1858.
The 1880s were a time of great growth for Rockhampton. This was thanks to the huge amount of gold found at Mount Morgan in 1882. The expansion of the Royal Bank building in 1888 shows how much Rockhampton was growing and how confident people were about its future.
Changing Hands and Uses
Over time, the importance of the port on Quay Street slowly decreased. This happened after the railway line to Brisbane opened in 1903.
The Royal Bank continued to operate until 1917. Then, it merged with another bank to form the Bank of Queensland. Later, in 1922, this bank became part of the National Bank of Australasia.
After being a bank for many years, the building was sold in 1958. It was bought by Winchcombe Carson Ltd, who were selling brokers. It was sold again in 1980 to Dalgety Australia Ltd. From 1983 to 1991, it was used as an office for the Queensland government.
In 1993, the building was sold again. The new owners planned to use it as a home and a beauty salon. At this time, a timber deck was added at the back. The building was then turned into a restaurant in 1996.
What the Building Looks Like
The former Royal Bank building is a two-story building made of stone with a smooth, rendered finish. It faces Quay Street and looks out over the Fitzroy River. Next to it is another historic building called Archer Chambers.
Outside the Building
The front of the building on Quay Street has four large arched openings on the ground floor. The main entrance to the first floor is on the right side. It has double timber doors with an arched window above them. The ground floor entrance has a timber door with glass panels and an arched window. It is surrounded by arched windows that can slide up and down. Each arch has a decorative molding above it. A shallow decorative band separates the ground floor from the first floor.
The first floor has a balcony with arches facing Quay Street. It has four arches with decorative stone details. The balcony railing is made of cast iron with timber handrails. The top of the building has a shaped gable (a triangular part of the wall). This gable has a central triangular shape supported by decorative columns. It also has a curved part with a decorative stone in the middle. Low walls with corner pillars are on either side of the gable.
At the back of the building, the first floor has windows that open outwards. There's also a central door with a metal landing and stairs. These stairs lead to a deck on the first floor at the back. The ground floor has a courtyard at the back. This courtyard is surrounded by a storage and office building that faces Quay Lane.
Inside the Building
On the ground floor, there's an entrance hall and stairs on the right side. A dining room faces Quay Street on the left. At the back, there's a bar, a sitting area, and a kitchen. A strong stone wall separates the front and back areas. You can pass through two arches in this wall. The original strongroom (a very secure room for valuables) is on the left side and is now used for storage. The ceilings are made of pressed sheets, and the walls are smooth. The back bar and sitting area open to the courtyard through French doors. The courtyard has toilets and stairs. The entrance hall has timber stairs with decorative railings.
The first floor has a dining room and bar that open onto the arched balcony facing Quay Street. There are also restrooms in the middle. At the back, there's a function room and a kitchen. These rooms have access to a deck above the ground floor courtyard. The dining room on Quay Street has fancy plaster details on the ceiling. It's made of two rooms joined by a large opening. Four sets of French doors open onto the balcony. Large folding timber doors connect the dining room to the function room at the back. The balcony has a timber ceiling and tiled floor. The function room has a fireplace with a timber frame in one corner.
The building at the back, facing Quay Lane, is made of concrete blocks with a metal roof.
Why This Building is Special
The former Royal Bank Building was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992. This means it's recognized as an important part of Queensland's history for several reasons:
A Glimpse into History
This building is part of the historic Quay Street area. This area is known for its late 19th-century business buildings. Quay Street was very important because it was the main port for central Queensland from 1858. It helped make Rockhampton the most important business city in the region. The strong, well-built buildings on Quay Street showed how wealthy Rockhampton was. This wealth grew even more with the gold rush at Mount Morgan in the 1880s. These buildings also showed how much people believed in Rockhampton's future.
Beautiful Design
The former Royal Bank building looks great and adds a lot to Quay Street. Its shape, size, and materials make it stand out. The decorative bands and top parts of the Royal Bank building match those of the nearby Archer Chambers. This creates a continuous look that highlights the old-fashioned charm of the street and the riverside.
Important to Rockhampton
This building is very special to the people of Rockhampton. Its beautiful design and long history make it a symbol of the city. For many, Quay Street and its historic buildings are closely linked to Rockhampton's identity.
