January 2026
Another one of the very nice Art Deco Commonwealth Banks built around Melbourne in the 30s.
This one dates from 1939, and it’s on Barkly Street at the end of the Acland Street shops. Apparently made out of two pre-existing shops. Like the others it features an entrance marked by a two storey portal idea, with a decorative security screen across the door. Other examples are not nearly so wide, or have a kind of turret effect on a corner, but here it’s all splayed out. It’s been various cafes in recent decades, currently one named after the ship that gave St Kilda its name.
I know of 7 others, and a very similar style appears in NSW and QLD too.
Storey of Melbourne 