GSA Guide - Old Bank of New South Wales (BNSW,1928-30) Claimed

The Bank of New South Wales (BNSW) opened its first branch (the first bank in Queensland) at North Brisbane, Moreton Bay on the 14th November 1850.

Old Bank of New South Wales BNSW (1928-30)

On the corner of George and Queen Streets (33 Queen Street)

History

This first bank building was a 2-storey stone building, made of porphyry (Formation: Brisbane Tuff) with a roofed balcony reaching around most of the building. In commemoration of 100 years of banking service, a plaque was unveiled by his Excellency Lieutenant General Sir John Lavarack, Governor of Queensland, on the 14th November 1950. This plaque is mounted in the main entrance of the present building which opened in 1930 after 3 years of construction.

The imposing Queen Street facade, with its four tall Ionic sandstone columns, gives a sense of strength and reliability, prominent features of bank design throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries.

The bank changed its name to Westpac in 1980. On the 14th of November 2000 a time capsule was sealed by Major General Peter Arnison AO, Governor of Queensland to mark 150 years of operations for BNSW - Westpac in Queensland. A plaque is mounted under the one mentioned previously.

Building stone:

The cladding is Helidon Sandstone covering a modern steel frame.

 The base of the building, stairs and some portals are clad with Enoggera (or Blackbutt) Granite.

The Queen Street entrance is framed in red equigranular granite (presumably from New South Wales) and at least seven different varieties of marble which were likely imported from New South Wales or Rockhampton area.

The interior ground floor furnishings, counters and floor tiles of the Westpac banking reception area are also richly decorated with marble from the same areas.

The Bank of New South Wales logo is prominently engraved on the counter panels.

F.R. Hall and Devereux (architect).

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