October 2025

The striking HQ of the State Savings Bank of Victoria once dominated the corner of Elizabeth and Bourke, but was demolished in the mid 70s.

Though it looks very 19thC, it wasn’t completed until the 1930s! The bank started out in the 5 bays at the far end, completed in 1913 and designed by #GraingerAndKennedy in a restrained classical style, like the other older banks in Collins Street. Then in 1925 it got a couple more floors and extended 1 1/2 bays towards Bourke Street, and finally in 1933-5 the Bourke corner section was built, designed by #StephensonAndMeldrum in matching style, hence the overall retro look for that date.

It pretty much became an instant landmark, especially featuring great photogenic night lighting, and it was just the right shape for a money box 😊

The banking chamber was largely the 1913 one, but extended in 1925 with more counters, which were all replaced by the 60s (third interior Graeme Butler). The @vic_archives has some great pics, including the loan managers office and a c1970 one of the delivery tubes 😮

It lasted exactly 40 years, vacated in 1975, then demolished along with much around it like the Metropole Arcade, to make way for the State Bank Centre. Designed by Eggleston MacDonald Secomb, and not completed until 1983, it’s interesting, but not a great swap.

Photos mainly @vic_archives, who have all the State Bank material, plus others found on Facebook. I would add that until maybe 5 years ago there just weren’t many photos digitised.

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