State Savings Bank Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids State Savings Bank building |
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Commonwealth_Bank_Sydney-1.jpg)
Main façade on Martin Place
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| Former names |
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| Alternative names | Money Box building (although typically refers to the Commonwealth Trading Bank Building) |
| General information | |
| Status | Complete |
| Type | Commercial offices |
| Architectural style | Beaux-Arts |
| Address | 48 Martin Place, Sydney CBD, New South Wales, Australia |
| Coordinates | 33°52′03″S 151°12′37″E / 33.867547°S 151.210155°E |
| Construction started | 1925 |
| Opened | 1928 |
| Renovated | September 2014 |
| Owner | Macquarie Group |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 10 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architecture firm | H E Ross & Rowe |
| Main contractor | Concrete Constructions |
| Official name | Commonwealth Bank; The Government Savings Bank of New South Wales; CBA Building |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 17 November 2000 |
| Reference no. | 1427 |
| Type | Bank |
| Category | Commercial |
The State Savings Bank Building is a very old and important bank building in Sydney, Australia. It's located at 48-50 Martin Place in the city center. This building was designed by Ross & Rowe Architects and built between 1925 and 1928.
It's also known by other names like the Government Savings Bank of New South Wales and the Commonwealth Bank building (former). For many years, it was used by the Commonwealth Bank, even serving as its main office from 1984. In 2012, a financial company called Macquarie Group bought it. They fixed it up, and now it's Macquarie's main office around the world. The building was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on November 17, 2000, which means it's a protected historical site.
Building History
Early Years (1920-1928)
The Government Savings Bank of NSW grew very quickly. It needed a much bigger building to handle all its customers and future plans. Between 1920 and 1921, the Bank bought five pieces of land in Sydney. These lands cost a lot of money, about £298,500.
The new building would face Martin Place, Elizabeth Street, and Castlereagh Street. This spot was perfect because it was close to other important city buildings. It was also near the growing shopping and financial areas after World War I.
On March 13, 1922, three important people laid the foundation stones for the building. They were James Dooley, the Premier of New South Wales; J. T. Lang, the Treasurer; and Mr. O'Malley Wood, the Bank's President.
Building work started in February 1925 and finished in late 1928. The Premier of New South Wales, T. R. Bavin, officially opened it on December 13, 1928. From the roof, you could see amazing views of the harbor and the city. This huge building showed how hopeful and forward-thinking people were in the 1920s, before the Great Depression hit. It also showed how strong and secure the Bank was.
The building's location, size, and grand style proved that people believed in Australia's economy. They especially believed in New South Wales's important role in that growth. When it was built, this was the most expensive building in Australia, costing about £1,500,000.
Later Years and Restoration (1980-1990)
The Commonwealth Bank knew how important 48 Martin Place was. In 1980, they hired Australian Construction Services to plan how to protect and update the building. They looked closely at different parts, especially the outside walls. They even removed some windows to see how they were made and what condition the metal parts were in.
In 1983, the Commonwealth Taxation Department moved out of the upper floors. This gave the Commonwealth Bank a chance to start a big restoration project. After many studies, the Bank decided in 1984 to make 48 Martin Place its main office.
The restoration work happened in three main steps between 1984 and 1990:
- Step One: They removed old parts inside, put up scaffolding, and took out asbestos (a dangerous material).
- Step Two: This was the main work. They restored, rebuilt, and updated many parts inside. They also installed new systems.
- Step Three: They finished the inside decoration and fittings.
Building Design
The State Savings Bank building is a very large structure with eleven floors above ground and three basement levels. It faces Martin Place, Elizabeth Street, and Castlereagh Street.
Outside Look
From the outside, the building looks very grand and important. It's built in the Beaux-Arts style, which uses classical designs. You can see this in the large columns used on the outside:
- Ionic columns on the Martin Place side.
- Corinthian columns around the balcony doors.
- Doric columns on the roof.
The huge Ionic columns on the Martin Place side connect the middle six floors. The bottom floor is a strong base made of red granite. The rest of the building is covered in pink terracotta blocks, arranged in a small, patterned way. The columns on Martin Place are also covered in terracotta. Higher up, you can see fancy terracotta details on the cornice (a decorative molding) and other parts. At the very top, the building has a classical attic style.
48 Martin Place looks very solid and impressive. The rich colors of the materials make it stand out among other buildings. It's a fantastic example of Beaux-Arts architecture, showing great beauty and building skill. This style was often used for banks to show they were rich and stable. It used:
- Very large sizes.
- Symmetry (both sides matching) and sculpted designs.
- Lots of classical details, inside and out.
- Modern building methods that allowed for large rooms.
- High-quality materials and finishes.
Inside Features
Many of the main public areas inside have been carefully restored to look almost like they did originally. The Banking Chamber, Grand Hall, and Safe Deposit area are very impressive with their size and details.
The Banking Chamber is decorated in a very fancy neo-Classical style. It uses a lot of marble and a special material called scagliola on its huge columns. Bank staff worked in the middle area, which had marble, bronze, and glass dividers. The main entrance is from Martin Place, but you can also enter from Castlereagh and Elizabeth Streets. The high ceiling has decorative panels made of pressed metal, designed to reflect light well. Large bronze lamps provide light by reflecting it off the ceiling.
The Grand Hall is a walkway that connects Castlereagh and Elizabeth Streets. It has a beautiful arched ceiling decorated with mosaics and stained glass. These pictures show important Australian industries from when the building was made. In the middle of the Hall is the Grand Stair, a wide marble staircase with bronze railings and a wooden handrail. The stairs lead to a special Memorial Window and Tablet. The marble walls and rich details make this a truly amazing space.
The Safe Deposit area in the basement is still very much like it was originally. It has magnificent arched ceilings supported by marble columns. The ceilings are decorative, and brass lights hang from the center of each arch. The walls are marble with colorful mosaic designs above them, showing wreaths and decorations in green and red. The floors are white marble with decorative black borders.
The office spaces on the upper floors have been changed a lot over time. However, the stairways connecting these floors are mostly still original. These stairs are made of terrazzo, with bronze railings and wooden handrails. Old wooden hydrant covers and mail chutes (which are no longer used) are still there, along with decorative tiles on the walls showing the floor numbers.
In 2012, Macquarie Group bought the building. They decided to renovate it to be their global headquarters. They added two round glass lifts in the main banking hall that go up through the ceiling. They also made the central open space (atrium) wider and added a large glass dome to the roof.
Condition and Changes
The building is in excellent condition. It has been well-maintained over the years.
Changes Over Time (1928-1984)
The building didn't have any major new construction between 1928 and 1984. However, some smaller changes happened:
- Ventilation: Wall fans and air conditioning units were added.
- Lifts: The original lift cars and doors were replaced.
- Banking Chamber: The glass ceiling was covered, and the decoration was painted over. Original lights were removed, and air conditioning units were installed.
- Grand Hall: Original decorations were painted over, and lights were removed. A smoke ventilation system was added, and the glass roof was replaced with concrete.
- Office Floors: Many internal walls were removed, and new lights were installed.
- Roof: Wooden buildings were added during World War II, and cooling towers were put in.
Major Restoration (1984-1990)
A big restoration project happened between 1984 and 1990. Here are some of the main things that were done:
- Outside Walls: The terracotta and granite were cleaned by hand.
- Windows: All windows were replaced with new brass ones. Original decorative parts were restored and put back.
- Marble and Lifts: Existing marble was cleaned and polished. New lifts were added, and new marble was used to match the old.
- Metalwork: Original metal parts like railings and lamps were removed, cleaned, repaired, and put back.
- Paintwork: New decorative paint was applied to match the original colors in the Banking Chamber, Grand Hall, and other areas.
- Asbestos: Asbestos was safely removed from different parts of the building.
- Services: Many new systems like air conditioning, sprinklers, and electrical wiring were put in.
- Offices: Original executive offices on Level 2 were restored.
- Banking Chamber & Grand Hall: These areas were restored for modern banking. A new entrance was created, and the old hydraulic door was fixed.
- Safe Deposit & Basement: The Safe Deposit areas were mostly kept as they were. A new car park for 32 vehicles was added in the basement.
- Atrium: An original central lightwell was turned into an atrium (a large open space) that goes from the roof down to a garden on Level 2.
- Disabled Access: Ramps and special toilets were added to make the building accessible for people with disabilities.
Money Boxes
After the Commonwealth Bank bought the building in 1931, its picture was sometimes used on money boxes given to children. These money boxes were shaped like the bank building and had its outside printed on them. Because of this, some people called it the "money box building." However, this nickname more often refers to the Commonwealth Trading Bank Building, which was shown on money boxes even earlier, starting in 1922.
Why It's a Heritage Site
The Government Savings Bank building at 48 Martin Place is very important culturally. It's a rare example of a building from between the World Wars that uses the Beaux-Arts style and shows amazing building skills. It's also very important for Sydney and New South Wales.
Located in a key spot on Martin Place, this building played a big role in how the economy of New South Wales grew in the 1920s. It was built between 1925 and 1928 and is one of the best examples of its style in Australia. It's considered one of the finest bank buildings in Australia, and the best in New South Wales. Its connection with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia helps keep its historical importance alive.
The building was listed on the (now closed) Register of the National Estate from 1978 to 2007. It's also listed on the City of Sydney's local heritage register. On November 17, 2000, it was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register because it met several important requirements.
Historical Importance
This building shows how important the savings bank movement was in New South Wales. The Government Savings Bank and later the Commonwealth Bank helped people save money. The stained glass in the Grand Hall shows the "basic sources of wealth" in the 1920s, which were all linked to banking.
The Government Savings Bank encouraged people to save, acting as the "People's Bank." It helped ordinary citizens, including children with school savings accounts. The bank also gave home loans, which helped the building industry grow in the 1920s. In 1931, it was the biggest savings bank in Australia.
The grand style and size of the new Head Office showed the hope and confidence of the 1920s after World War I. It showed belief in Australia's economy and Sydney's importance as a financial center. Building it also created many jobs in New South Wales.
The building is linked to the growth of large construction companies in the 1920s. It also helped a company called Wunderlich create a new Australian industry for terracotta blocks. The Government Savings Bank was involved in big political and financial events during the Great Depression. When it closed in 1931, it had a terrible effect on many ordinary people.
This building has always been a financial center and a public bank. Its restoration from 1984 to 1990 was a major project. It showed that old buildings can still be useful even with new technology. Many original features were kept during the restoration. The building also shows the American influence on large commercial buildings in Sydney.
The building was ordered by W. H. O'Malley-Wood and Commissioners H. D. Hall and J. H. Davies. It's also connected to politicians like James Dooley and J. T. Lang, who laid the foundation stones. 48 Martin Place is the best work of the important architectural and engineering firm H. E. Ross and Rowe. They even moved their own office into the building after it was finished.
Design and Technical Achievements
48 Martin Place is a wonderful example of Beaux-Arts architecture. It's a masterpiece of design and building skill. The outside materials have rich colors that make the building stand out on Martin Place. The terracotta is especially unique compared to other buildings. The roof was designed to look good even with service equipment on it. Inside, the use of Australian marbles and scagliola looks very rich.
The building shows the high quality of materials and craftsmanship used. It looks very grand and important, using classical designs throughout. It takes up a large part of an important city block.
Social and Cultural Importance
The State Savings Bank building is a very important financial place. Sydney has been the main headquarters for the Commonwealth Bank since 1913. 48 Martin Place was built as a main office and is still important as the Commonwealth Bank's headquarters.
The building shows how important banking is to the community. It was designed to represent the high status of banks and government. While the building is still a symbol, how people view politics and large institutions has changed over time. The executive offices on Level 2 were designed for important bank leaders. These rooms are still used by senior executives today.
Information and Research Potential
The building shows excellent technical skill. It uses new and special design and engineering features. For example, the terracotta blocks on the outside were used in a unique way. The main entrance doors on Martin Place are very special. They open vertically using a hydraulic system and hide in special spaces in the basement.
The mechanical fire escape on Level 1 is the only one known in Australia. The main Safe Deposit Vault door and smaller emergency doors used the most modern technology of their time and are still working. The building's reinforced concrete frame was a very large concrete structure for its time in Australia. The strong rooms inside the columns also show clever design.
48 Martin Place has kept most of its original design and technical features. It still looks as impressive as it did when it was first built. The building has been well-documented and researched. Much information was gathered during the restoration work from 1984-1990.
Rare Features
The Beaux-Arts style is rare in Australia, and this building has unusually rich details and unique use of materials. 48 Martin Place is a rare example of an early 20th-century bank building in Australia. It's in excellent condition and stands out on Martin Place. The way the outside terracotta was used, and special features like the mechanical fire stair and the hydraulic Martin Place door, are rare in Australia.
Gallery
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The State Savings Bank building during construction.
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The State Savings Bank building on completion.
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A close-up of the building's distinctive terracotta and pink granite façade.
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Exterior detail and signage
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The State Savings Bank building viewed from Castlereagh Street
