19 September 2024
Fine little Deco thing in Swanston Street near Bourke, usually hidden by trees. Built in 1936 for the Union Bank, back when all the banks seemed to have branches around here; the ES&A and State Bank had ones right opposite. It was designed by W&R Butler, with a facade in Stawell stone, and though it looks like maybe three storeys, was only one, with a mezzanine in the front section, and a 25ft high chamber behind with a steppy ceiling with skylight- which is still there! Found a pic of the Club X that’s been there for ages on the now subdivided upper floor, though more recently they’ve covered it up a bit. The stone could do with a clean too. 1st photo August 2021, then RVIA journal, then newspaper, then Google maps pics.
Storey of Melbourne 