23 December 2018
Excellent bank in #ChapelStreetSouthYarra by #WalterButler, built 1918; a very ‘muscular’ as they say composition, the #ioniccolumns almost lost within the deep reveal, high #rusticated base, and those wild stylised hanging things either side. Butler is better known for Arts & Crafts / Old English houses for the wealthy, so this is different for him. It was built for the #UnionBank, they left lots of nice banks from the 19th century still dotted about, not so many 20thC, them disappeared into the ANZ bank in 1951. Original plans State Library Victoria.
Managers residence upstairs.
Just been informed that the 1918 bank on Chapel Street is going to be part of this office development. According to the Council agenda summary, it’s being retained intact, to be retail and offices, while only the facade of the next door 1923 Corders (paint and wallpapers) will be kept. I think the scale is fine, and great to see the bank possibly unaltered, so it’s pretty ok – though really they should keep some structural depth of Corders too.
Storey of Melbourne 