June 2026

There must have been some competition amongst the backs in the late 19th C in the Glenferrie /Burwood Road precinct, maybe it was indeed a wealthy area – the ES&A did their Gothic one in 1873 (pic 9), then in 1890 the Melb Savings Bank did their elaborate one opposite the town hall (pic 10), and the next year the Commercial Bank of Australia completed this three storey number right on the corner.

Designed by EG Kilburn, it’s got some lush details at ground level, tall pilasters above, but then the top level is kind of plain, especially the corner. It is missing a pediment there, but it feels like there should have been even more. Old pic is 1973, postcard c1900. Oh, the bar in there now must be named after the architect! @thekilburn. And there’s another postcard showing what was maybe another bank on the corner of the town hall.

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