NEW DEVELOPMENTS - THE CHANGING FACE OF SOUTH MELBOURNE

For many years, the City of South Melbourne was the driving force behind the preservation of the precinct’s heritage buildings, both in the Emerald Hill Estate area and the St Vincent’s Place Estate. Much of the streetscape and character of old South Melbourne and Albert Park has been retained. Now progress is marching up the hill towards Emerald Hill’s jewel in the crown – the South Melbourne Town Hall, and it is now the City of Port Phillip that oversees the area. 

On the western side of Clarendon St, the full Victorian verandahs and the terraces behind them have been preserved. On the eastern side of the street there are many changes. Since the new ‘Coles’ building was opened in the last decade, the rear of most of the terraces on the eastern side has seen multi-storey buildings, up to 6 storeys high, developed.

The Church at the northern end (Greek Orthodox) was built over 150 years ago and was originally a Presbyterian Church. At the Bank St end, the rear of the buildings on Clarendon St abut a laneway. The three storey ‘Butter Factory’ or former AAV Studios is the building on the eastern side of this laneway.

AAV housed Armstrong Studios where the Melbourne Rock scene first recorded in the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s. AAV was also the post-production studio for many famous movies such as Red Dog and The Castle.

AAV has gone, the building has been gutted and it is currently being prepared for a modern office fit-out.

On the corner of Bank and Clarendon is the beautiful old Gothic former ES&A Bank building, built in the late 19th Century. 

The English, Scottish and Australian Chartered Bank, known as the ES&A during its long lifetime, built some amazing buildings in Melbourne. These Bank buildings were constructed in a Gothic Style of Architecture and were certainly very different from some of the more sombre banks of the time. 

The most famous of these was the building located at 388 Collins St, now an ANZ banking chamber. Its proper name is the Verden Chambers, but to the public it is affectionately known as the Gothic Bank. 

The ES&A Bank built many of its branches in the Gothic style ranging from the Rocks in Sydney to Mt Alexander Rd Ascot Vale, where the theme prevailed. And perhaps one of the most notable examples in an otherwise Victorian era visage was the bank constructed on the corner of Bank St and Clarendon St, South Melbourne in 1880. It was and still is a striking edifice with curious round windows and full capped chimneys, a slate roof and pier capped wrought iron on brick fence. 

Nationally it is probably the second most significant of the ES&A Bank buildings.  

“Built in 1880 to a design by architectural firm Terry & Oakden. It is an inspiring 2 storey Gothic Revival building of Hawthorn bricks into which are set polychromic brick bands, string courses of both render and encaustic tiles and granite colonettes flanking the doorway. Of local significance” - Victorian Heritage Database 

Is it largely intact and when the ANZ added a section at the rear in the 1970s the modifications were supervised by the National Trust to ensure the new extensions remained in sympathy with the overall building. To a great extent it was a successful project and the building retained its integrity. 

More recently the ANZ Bank has vacated the premises, moving further down Clarendon St next door to the Commonwealth (Corner of Dorcas St). 

The building is currently owned by a property group. The building is currently owned by a property group that has submitted plans to the Port Phillip Council for a multi-storey development at the rear of the heritage listed building. This involves the area currently used as a small car park and the 1970’s addition (which would be demolished. The new building proposed would be for offices.    

In designing the new building, the group’s architect has looked to profile the bank building rather than hide it, encroach upon it, or envelope it. Design features such as the circular window highlight the existing bank building’s rather unique features. 

With the removal of the ANZ Bank’s detritus and infrastructure, the large original chamber has been exposed. Advertising will soon begin for a new tenant (perhaps a high-end furniture, homewares or design-oriented showroom?).  

Interestingly, the development group scheduled to construct the new building are a predominantly female team, known as SheBuilt. The group functions with most project lead positions being filled by women. 

“In an industry dominated by men, we’re proud to offer an alternative – a place where women can support one another creating projects of significance.”

This would appear to be a very different style of project. Currently awaiting approval, it is comforting to see this beautiful building being preserved intact, free standing with little alteration other than restoration of features removed in the 1980s. The project is now in the domain of public opinion. It would seem the new building proposed at the rear has stimulated much discussion. Opinions vary. We wish SheBuilt the very best and look forward to seeing these beautiful chambers come back to life with glorious high ceilings, mitred windows and marble-edged entrances. Ultimately it will be a restoration completed with sensitivity and flair and an acknowledgement of this beautiful building’s rich heritage.

By Michale Nelthorpe MBC