2 January 2016, updates 2025:

A pair of similar grand 1880s banks in High Street Northcote, both quite intact, and both with first floor arcaded porticos. The first was the #LondonCharteredBank, can’t find a precise date, but was by #OakdenAddisonanandKemp – a surprising style for them, they liked to do the latest Queen Anne, which they used a few times for the ES&A. The second date from 1890, designed by George Jobbins for the National Bank of Australasia.

Update : Neither has been a bank for some time. The London Chartered was sold in 2017, and in 2020 a permit was issued for an apartment development that would have kept only the facade, despite there being a beautiful staircase and panelled hall (pic 5); it hasn’t happened yet, and it’s currently a performance venue, though from the plan it didn’t seem to have any big rooms ? The second bank is now up for lease, and it also has a very nice staircase, up to what was no doubt the managers residence. Seems to be fitted out as a flat at ground level, offices upstairs, then a new 2 level penthouse above that.

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