5 October 2023
Not Melbourne, but by Melbourne architects – the HQ for the AMP, built in Pitt Street Sydney in 1864, designed by Reed & Barnes (ie. by Joseph Reed). Interesting to compare with their Bank of NSW of 1858, once in Collins Street, the facade now at Melbourne University – more elaborate so I like it more, whereas the Sydney building is quite Neoclassical.
The AMP grew so quickly that by 1879 they’d moved to a bigger place across Pitt Street, which they extended a few times, and which lasted until 1962 when it was demolished for Australia Square.
The earlier Reed building lasted until 1929 when it was replaced by a large HQ for the Bank of NSW, now heritage listed (last pic). So we often decry how badly we treated our heritage, but it was the same from London to NY to Sydney.
Storey of Melbourne 