Alright, intrepid explorer! To spot the Westpac Bank Building, turn your gaze to your right as you walk along Flinders Street. You can't miss it - it's that imposing, grand white building with tall columns that look like they were borrowed from an ancient Greek temple. It's quite the sight!
Now, let's dive into the story of this magnificent building:
The Westpac Bank Building, nestled at 337-343 Flinders Street in Townsville's CBD, is not just any ordinary building; it's a heritage-listed gem! Designed by the architectural duo Hall and Cook and brought to life in 1935 by the Stuart Brothers from Sydney, this two-storeyed masonry marvel was originally erected as the Bank of New South Wales. Quite the mouthful, right? But don't worry, things get even more fascinating.
This was actually the third premises built by the bank in Townsville. The Bank of New South Wales, which traces its origins back to 1817, played a pivotal role in the early development of Townsville. Fun fact: Robert Towns, one of the co-founders of Townsville, was a director of the Bank of New South Wales and pushed hard to have a bank branch at Cleveland Bay. And voilà, after a few hiccups, the bank opened its doors in rented premises on March 20, 1866, following closely behind the Australian Joint Stock Bank.
By 1867, the bank had purchased an allotment at the corner of the Strand and Wickham Street, setting up premises and a manager's residence two years later. Fast forward a bit to 1875, and anticipating the bustle of future businesses, they snagged two more allotments on the coveted corner of Flinders and Wickham Streets. The bank kept moving westward with the city's business pulse, finally purchasing an allotment in 1915 on the corner of Flinders and Stokes Streets.
Fast-forward to the 1930s, and in comes our hero building, constructed for a tidy sum of £32,345. The building, complete with offices, shops, and banking facilities, was a blend of practicality and grandeur. Those impressive bronze entrance doors alone cost over £1,000, and the interiors were decked out in north Queensland maple. Talk about banking in style!
Located at the bustling corner of Flinders Street Mall and Stokes Street, in the heart of Townsville, this building stretches 62 feet (19 meters) along Flinders Street and 135 feet (41 meters) up Stokes Street. Its giant Tuscan columns, raised base, ornate parapet, and a lovely central cartouche will transport you to another era.
So, as you stand admiring this 'imposing edifice', remember you're looking at a piece of history that’s been standing tall since 1935. Now, how’s that for a grand story behind those grand columns?
