Commercial Bank of Australia Building, Armidale
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| CBA Bank | |
|---|---|
_-_Front_of_former_CBA_Bank_Armidale_(former_Telegraph_Office)._1985,_showing_the_building_with_infilling_to_portico_consisting_of_rendered_cement_bases_to_windows,_and_metal_framed_glazed_doors._(5045355b3).jpg) Bank building, 1985 | |
| Location | 164 Beardy Street, Armidale, Armidale Regional Council, New South Wales, Australia |
| Coordinates | 30°30′50″S 151°40′00″E / 30.5138°S 151.6666°E |
| Built | 1882–1885 |
| Architect | NSW Colonial Architect's Office (Barnet and Vernon) |
| Owner | Joe Barbato Pty Ltd |
| Official name | CBA Bank (former); CBA Bank; Comfort Lodge; Former Commonwealth Bank |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 433 |
| Type | Telegraph Station |
| Category | Postal and Telecommunications |
| Builders | C.T. Cook |
  Location of CBA Bank in New South Wales  Commercial Bank of Australia Building, Armidale (Australia) | |
The Commercial Bank of Australia Building is a heritage-listed former telegraph office and bank and now commercial premises at 164 Beardy Street, Armidale, in the New England region of New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by NSW Colonial Architect's Office (Barnet and Vernon) and built from 1882 to 1885 by C.T. Cook. It is also known as Comfort Lodge. The property is owned by Joe Barbato Pty Ltd (Private). It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.[1]
Background history
The former CBA Bank was built for the Land Board Office in the early 1880s, designed by the Colonial Architect, James Barnet. According to a historical reference the building was begun in 1882 and finished 1885, built by C.T. Cook (Heritage Office File). In the middle or late 1880s the building housed the Telegraph Office. The telegraph master in 1889 was Robert W. Arnott. He was also "Money Order and Government Savings Bank Agent" (Heritage Office File).[1]
In those days a telegraph master or post master was expected to reside as well as work in their office. It is likely that the subject building was used as a residence. By the 1890s the telegraph office functions were apparently combined with the post office and moved into the Armidale Post Office building adjacent. The subject building then housed other government offices.[1]
It has been said that under the direction of Walter Liberty Vernon Government Architect 1890–1911, the single storey portico was added, to match the portico on the post office which was adjacent; but this has not been verified (Heritage Office File). Stylistically the Telegraph Office (former CBA building) loggia is in harmony and well integrated with its own facade design.[1]
The Armidale Post Office loggia was added in 1897 designed by Vernon (Heritage Office File). In the early 20th century the Post Office loggia was extended again, reaching closer to the former telegraph office. Although it has not been confirmed exactly which building copied which, it is certain that through much of their early history the two buildings were linked in their function and form.[1]
Change of use and modifications
In 1918 the building was sold to the then State Savings Bank which was taken over by the Commercial Bank of Australia in 1932 (Heritage Office File). Modifications occurred during the late 1930s such as the enclosure of the portico openings. A 1936 photograph shows two chimneys (no longer extant) positioned on either side of the centre of the roof.[1]
By 1985 the building had been unoccupied for several years. A new owner proposed to remove the fenestration from the arched portico opening thereby restoring its earlier arcaded appearance. Whilst this was strongly supported from a heritage viewpoint, it was felt that these and future alterations should be carried out under the guidance of the Heritage Council. This led to the Interim Conservation Order in September 1985, followed by the Permanent Conservation Order being placed on the building 21 March 1986, signed by Bob Carr, the then Minister for Planning and Environment. In 1986, the glazing to the portico arches was removed and the original openings were restored, with timber shop fronts being installed. Retail shops have occupied the building since that time. Aluminium and glass projecting shop windows were installed under the arcade in 1991.[1]
The building suffered hail damage to its slate tiles in 1996, resulting in parts of the roof being replaced. It was repainted in 2005.[1]
Description
The former Commercial Bank of Australia Building is situated on Beardy Street, a main street of Armidale which has been closed to traffic creating a pedestrian mall. The building fronts onto the footpath with no setback.[1]
The building is a two-storey brick building, rendered and painted on the street side only. The facade is symmetrical and the street level portico has four round arches. A decorative central parapet with scrolled edges rises above the portico, and the upper storey has four segmental-arch openings with double hung sash windows. The slate roof has been described as hipped (Heritage Office File); photographs seem to indicate that it may even be pyramidal.[1]
Style
The facade bears elements of the Victorian Italianate style as defined in Identifying Australian Architecture:[2] stuccoed facade, segmental arch window openings, arcaded loggia, and bracketed eaves. A pyramidal roof is another feature which typically appears on some Italianate buildings, usually on tower features. James Barnet built many regional New South Wales post offices and government buildings in the Italianate style.[1]
Materials and modifications
External decoration, on the facade only, includes rendered masonry bracket supports to the eaves, rendered string courses, label moulds, and keystones over the arches . The rear and side walls contrast with the street facade. They are brown brick with red-brown brick lintels over the flat-arch openings. Stone lintels are evident on the lower storey windows to the rear of the building. The roof is slate, and has been repaired and elements replaced over the years, with the ridge cappings having been replaced several times. No chimneys are evident. The interior has been altered with fireplaces removed.[1]
Adjoining the rear of the main building is a single storey brick building which is square in plan. Its construction date is unknown. The smaller building has a corrugated iron roof which features small ventilation gables at its apex and a tall brick chimney. Application to replace the roof was received in 1997.[1]
