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Union Bank of Australia Building (Fremantle) facts for kids

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Union Bank of Australia Building
Union Bank 86 High St Fremantle.jpg
Union Bank Building in 2017
Alternative names ANZ Bank Building
General information
Architectural style Inter-War Free Classical style
Address 86 High Street
Town or city Fremantle
Country Western Australia
Coordinates 32°03′16″S 115°44′44″E / 32.054521°S 115.745675°E / -32.054521; 115.745675
Completed 1930
Cost £17,000
Client Union Bank of Australia
Technical details
Floor count 2
Design and construction
Architecture firm Hobbs, Smith & Forbes
Main contractor R. V. Ritchie
Type State Registered Place
Part of West End, Fremantle (25225)
Reference no. 924

The Union Bank of Australia Building, also known as the ANZ Bank Building, is a very important historical building. It is located at 86 High Street in the Fremantle West End Heritage area in Fremantle, Western Australia. This building was one of many business buildings built in Fremantle between World War I and World War II.

History of the Building

This two-storey building was finished in 1930. Before 1930, the spot was known as 84 High Street and had four shops. The building was designed by a group of architects called Hobbs, Smith and Forbes. It was built for the Union Bank of Australia by a builder named R. V. Ritchie.

What Does the Building Look Like?

The Union Bank Building was built in a style called Inter-War Free Classical. This means it looks like older, grand buildings but was made between the two big wars. It is made of brick covered with a smooth finish that looks like stone blocks. The middle part of the building is set back a little, which is called a breakfront.

The building has two main floors above ground and also a basement. It takes up about 14.6 meters (48 feet) of space along the street. There is a side entrance with stairs that leads to large offices on the second floor. Building this impressive structure cost about £17,000 at the time.

Changes Over the Years

In July 1930, the Union Bank decided to sell its old building, which was at the corner of Cliff Street and High Street.

A big change happened in 1951 when the Bank of Australasia joined with the Union Bank of Australia. They formed a new bank called the Australia and New Zealand Bank Limited, which is often called ANZ Bank. The building kept the Union Bank name until sometime between 1952 and 1956, when it was officially renamed the Australia and New Zealand Bank.

The building was updated and fixed up in 1960 and again in 1969. The ANZ Bank used part of the building until 1990. After that, the bank moved to a new location and put the building up for sale. It was sold in mid-1991. Later that same year, it opened as a market where people could buy things like glassware, ceramics, and toys. However, the markets closed down about a year later.

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