May 2018, update 2026
One of Melbourne’s few ‘flatiron’ buildings, a branch of the #ColonialBankofAustralasia, built at the height of the #landboom in 1889, designed by the prolific firm #SmithandJohnson (who also designed their long demolished HQ in Elizabeth Street in 1883, pic 5).
Very nice articulation of paired Ionic columns and piers, which there is less of the on the other side (pic 4 from streetview). It became a home for the Independent Order of Rechabites in 1919, there until 1979, and their name is still up there, but now it’s just offices. Great bldg, opp the vicmarkets, but a bit lost across the huge intersection.
Update : there’s a nice big cast iron column inside.
Storey of Melbourne 