December 2025
The ex-Commonwealth Bank in Bridge Road Richmond, a fine Art Deco design from 1939. It’s also a bit formal, with the steeped massing and elaborated central section. It’s got original wonderful zigzag Deco screens to each side door and above the doors, a real delight.
It sits on its ownsome, I think the left side always a lane, the other side not sure, but both side were entries to a supermarket from the 70s, now a big development completed in 2022 with nice blond brick flanking buildings.
The bank was designed by the Commonwealth Department of Works, who must have had a Victorian arm or person because there’s a bunch of them around Melbourne that are in matching style. The one in High Street Thornbury is similar but looking sad, while the corner one in Carlisle Street Balaclava has a great screen on the corner door, but simpler in style. Looks they tried a bit harder in Richmond !
Storey of Melbourne 