The first bank in Queensland, the Bank of New South Wales, opened its Brisbane branch in 1850. Initially operating from rented premises, the bank quickly became an integral part of the local economy, facilitating trade and investment. In 1853, the bank purchased property on Queen Street, and by 1866, it had erected a purpose-built structure with a bank and residence (State Library of Queensland, 2022).
This original building was demolished in 1928 and replaced by the current heritage-listed structure located at 33 Queen Street, Brisbane. Designed by the architectural firm Hall & Devereux and constructed by FJ Corbett & Sons, the new building was completed in 1930. The building features a Neo-classical design, common in commercial and civic buildings of that era, and has remained a significant architectural landmark (Queensland Government, 2024).
Today, the building at 33 Queen Street still stands and has been repurposed over the years. It is now known as the Westpac Bank Building, following the merger of the Bank of New South Wales with the Commercial Bank of Australia to form Westpac in 1982. The site can be visited in the heart of Brisbane’s central business district, offering a glimpse into the historical development of Queensland’s financial sector (Queensland Government, 2024).
References
State Library of Queensland, 2022. Queensland’s First Bank Opened Its Doors 160 Years Ago. [online] Available at: https://www.slq.qld.gov.au/blog/queenslands-first-bank-opened-its-doors-160-years
Queensland Government, 2024. Westpac Bank Building. [online] Available at: https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/heritage-register/detail/?id=600154