Addresses
Type of place
Bank
Period
World War II 1939-1945
Style
Functionalist
This is an image of the local heritage place known as Commonwealth Bank (former)
Commonwealth Bank (former)
Addresses
Type of place
Bank
Period
World War II 1939-1945
Style
Functionalist
The former Commonwealth Bank building at Clayfield was designed by the Commonwealth Department of Works and built between 1938 and 1939. It is a fine example of an inter-war masonry bank building, executed in the Art Deco style. The design, decorative detailing and imposing form of the building reflect the intention to present banks as solid, dependable institutions and contribute positively to the streetscape.
Also known as
CBA
Lot plan
L1_RP52617
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Citation —
Construction
Roof: Tile;Walls: Brick - Painted
Criterion for listing
(A) Historical; (D) Representative; (E) Aesthetic; (H) Historical associationInteractive mapping
Also known as
CBA
Lot plan
L1_RP52617
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Citation —
Construction
Roof: Tile;Walls: Brick - Painted
Criterion for listing
(A) Historical; (D) Representative; (E) Aesthetic; (H) Historical associationInteractive mapping
History
Established under the Commonwealth Bank Act in 1911, the Commonwealth Bank company commenced operations in 1912, able to conduct savings and business banking with the security of a federal government guarantee. Mergers with State Banks in Tasmania (1912), Queensland (1920), and State Banks of Western Australia and New South Wales (1931) expanded the organisation significantly. In Queensland, when the Commonwealth Bank took over the Queensland Government Savings Bank on 8 December 1920, branches were established at Albion, Cairns, Charleville, Charters Towers, Clayfield, Dalby, Fortitude Valley, George St Brisbane, Gladstone, Gympie, Innisfail, Ipswich, Longreach, Mackay, Mt Morgan, Paddington, Red Hill, Roma, Roma St Brisbane, South Brisbane, Stanthorpe, Warwick and Woolloongabba. The growth of the Commonwealth Bank resulted in an expansion of retail operations into banking chambers rather than through post office agencies. As part of this development, an allotment of land at what was then 717 New Sandgate Rd, Clayfield was acquired by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia in March 1936. This location is now 707 Sandgate Rd, Clayfield.
In December 1938, the Commonwealth Department of Works accepted the tender submitted by builder E. J. Taylor, for the construction of new banking premises and residence at an estimated cost of £5675. The new bank would replace the existing bank, located further down the road at what was then 689 New Sandgate Rd, Clayfield. The building was scheduled to be completed in June 1939 and was operating from this new location by 1941. The bank quickly became part of the economic fabric of Clayfield. Throughout the war and postwar period it was used to distribute food vouchers during the periods of rationing brought about by war shortages.
The property was sold in 1989 but leased back to the Commonwealth Bank until 1994. It has since been used as commercial premises.
Description
The building is of masonry construction and is an inter-war Art Deco design. It is a very similar design to the Commonwealth Bank at Stones Corner (Greenslopes), which was built around the same time. The exterior of the building remains largely intact, including the timber-framed, double-hung sash windows and decorative geometric metal security entry doors and fanlight.
The interior was refurbished in 1978 and has been modernised again since. It has not been established what, if any, original internal features still survive, however in 2008 the original timber staircase was still intact and was a major feature of the interior. Some original timber cupboards also survived at this date.
Statement of significance
Relevant assessment criteria
This is a place of local heritage significance and meets one or more of the local heritage criteria under the Heritage planning scheme policy of the Brisbane City Plan 2014. It is significant because:
References
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Brisbane City Council Building Cards
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Queensland Certificates of Title
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Queensland Post Office Directories
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Digitised newspapers and other records. http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper
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"DEPARTMENT OF WORKS." Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, 19 January 1939: 82
Citation prepared by — Brisbane City Council (page revised September 2020)