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English, Scottish and Australian Bank (former)
139 Nelson Place WILLIAMSTOWN, Hobsons Bay City

Nelson Place Heritage Precinct

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Hobsons Bay City

English, Scottish and Australian Bank (former), Hobsons Bay Heritage Study 2006

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Statement of Significance
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Statement of Significance

What is Significant?

The former ES&A Bank (also known as the Mission to Seaman), designed by Leonard Terry and constructed by W Porter in 1872-73 with later additions by H & A Peck, at 139 Nelson Place, Williamstown.

How is it Significant?

The former ES&A Bank at 139 Nelson Place, Williamstown is of local historic and aesthetic significance to the City of Hobsons Bay.

Why is it Significant?

Historically, it was the second suburban branch of the fifteen ES&A banks known to have been built in Victoria and was also the first major purpose built bank branch in Williamstown. It demonstrates the development of Nelson Place as the main commercial centre in Williamstown in the nineteenth century. (AHC criteria A4 and D2)

Aesthetically, it is a successfully designed near original example of a Medieval style uncommon in commercial architecture of that date, also contributory by way of counterpoint to the surrounding streetscape. (AHC criteria E1 and F1)

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- Physical Description 1
  
  English, Scottish and Australian Bank (former) - Physical Description 1
  
  Closely resembling Terry's Hawthorn branch of the same year, this red brick stone and stucco design uses Italian flavoured Gothic revival comprised of two gabled bays, each with a trefoil piercing to a centred oculus, set on either side of an arcaded main bay and placed against a transverse-gable, slated roof behind. Matching quatrefoil mouldings set in blind oculi are used decoratively at arch apices and spandrels. Cast iron cresting adorns the ridge and gable apices and wrought iron balustrading trims both the cantilevered balcony at first floor level and the window group at ground. A flagpole is a later addition.
  
  Label moulds, terminating in bosses, accompany all openings; the reveals of which are splayed. Twin double doors placed in each flanking bay under Gothic arches, enter into the banking chamber and the residential quarters. Both this bank and that at Hawthorn are an uncommon departure from accepted classical revival stylism in contemporary bank architecture. Terry and Oakden's King Street ES&A Bank is another example.
  
  Integrity
  
  English, Scottish and Australian Bank (former) - Integrity
  
  External Integrity and condition
  Integrity - High. Condition - Good.
  
  Physical Description 2
  
  English, Scottish and Australian Bank (former) - Physical Description 2
  
  Context
  Contrasting in form and materials but shares fenestration, period detail and siting with adjoining buildings. It contributes to the Nelson Place streetscape.
  
  Historical Australian Themes
  
  English, Scottish and Australian Bank (former) - Historical Australian Themes
  
  Financing Australia
  
  Physical Description 3
  
  English, Scottish and Australian Bank (former) - Physical Description 3
  
  Associations
  English Scottish and Australian Chartered Banking Co., Leonard Terry, William Dempster Frederick Power, Melbourne Harbour Trust, Hugh & Arthur Peck.
  
  Heritage Study and Grading
  
  Heritage Study and Grading
  
  Hobsons Bay - Hobsons Bay Heritage Study
  
  Author: Hobsons Bay City Council
  Year: 2006
  Grading:
- Show:
- FORMER MORGUE
  
  Victorian Heritage Register H1512
- WILLIAMSTOWN PRIMARY SCHOOL
  
  Victorian Heritage Register H1639
- RESIDENCE
  
  Victorian Heritage Register H0487