December 2025

Nice early Victorian bank on Bridge Road Richmond, and more than just a facade retained ! It was built in 1865, making it the oldest bank in Richmond, for the National Bank of Australasia. Designed by Lloyd Tayler, who did a lot of banks around this time in restrained classical modes, this one a bit more elaborate than most, featuring pilasters on both levels, Tuscan below, Ionic above. Needs a paint though.

The site became an apartment project, completed in 2014 I think, and they retained the whole front section, or at least the walls and roof. For the front flats in the old bit, they removed a bit of the roof cladding to create a sort of courtyard, not a bad solution. The new part is pretty squeezy though, with a narrow entrance, steps, and pretty small flats, but you know, housing crisis. I saw one with a view mainly of a wall originally sold for $330,00 !

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