| House | $454,600  |
| Unit | $367,100  |
| Land | $229,100 |
Surrounding suburbs
| Portland West | $684,000 |
| House | $386 |
| Unit | $396  |
| Neighbour Photos |
| Map | Street view | Nearby property price |
| Planning History: |
| Registered as Victorian heritage |
| Last updated on - June 11, 2008 What is significant? The ANZ Bank at 44 Percy Street, Portland was erected for the Union Bank of Australia in 1856 to replace the first branch established in June 1846. In the same year a bluestone building was erected for the Bank of Australasia in Julia Street, Portland, creating some confusion as to the architect involved in the design of both buildings. In the Argus in April and May 1856, tenders were called by the local architect, John Barrow, for the construction of buildings for the Bank of Australasia and the Union Bank of Australasia respectively. This suggests he may have been responsible for both designs. Portland developed as a prosperous town as a result of the settlement of the rich hinterland through the 1840s and the increasing importance of wool as an export. In the 1850s the gold rush attracted both people and wealth to the town, and Portland was declared a municipality in 1855. As access to, and communication with, the town was improved; many substantial buildings were constructed in the 1850s. Like other buildings erected in the 1850s and 1860s in Portland, the former Union Bank was constructed in local basalt. It is a two storey corner building designed in a classical style, with quarry-faced stone walls at ground level and smooth-faced stone walls above. All details, including corner quoining, window architraves, keystones and the parapet cornice, are executed in basalt. This was made possible by the extremely fine grain basalt of the region. The main facade incorporates a central pilastered portico and flanking Venetian windows at ground level, and a central arched window and flanking triple rectangular windows above. Simple rows of single windows line the side street elevation. The iron palisade fence and bluestone base, rear bluestone walling and stable building have been retained. How is it significant? The ANZ Bank, Portland is of architectural and historical significance to the State of Victoria. Why is it significant? The ANZ Bank, Portland is of architectural significance as a finely crafted building executed in local bluestone. The retention of the fence, rear walling and stables is of importance. The ANZ Bank, Portland is of historical significance for its association with the commercial development of this important early settlement in Victoria. Together with a number of other bluestone buildings in Portland built in the 1850s and 1860s, it is illustrative of the period of the town's height of prosperity. [Online Data Upgrade Project 2008] |
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