General News
3 May, 2024
Corner building restored to former glory
RESIDENTS may have noticed something new about the building on the corner of Pike Street and Little Manifold Street.
The former ANZ bank, which closed in April last year, has had the teal paint stripped away to reveal the original red brick building underneath.
The building is now home to Ray White Camperdown, who recently made the move to the new office.
Ray White Camperdown director Alistair Tune said the owner of the building took it upon himself to restore the external façade of the building.
“That involved scaffolding; he basically had the whole paintwork from the previous ANZ Bank colour scheme removed, which revealed the brick work,” he said.
“Internally, we renovated the whole building.
“We divided it up into office spaces, meeting rooms, board rooms and the new front desk. It’s all fresh and new.”
The building began construction in 1913 during the dairy industry boom in Camperdown and was originally a Union Bank of Australia building.
The Federation Arts and Crafts style was implemented by architect Walter Richmond Butler, who had also designed the now-demolished Newminister Park in Skibo in 1901.
Mr Tune said Ray White chose the bank building for three main reasons.
“Our primary reason was the size of outrprevious building, considering our staff has grown from six or seven to over 12,” he said.
“Also, the prominence of this building, when it became available, we thought it was a great opportunity given where it’s situated within town. It’s a fairly prominent building.
“The third factor was the heritage significance of the building, it was quite appealing.”
Mr Tune said the restoration of the red brick façade means the building now ties in with Courthouse and the Clocktower.
“I think it complements the town; I think we’re pretty lucky here in Camperdown to have such significant architecture, and to be in one of those building is very exciting for us,” he said.
“We’re quite excited to be in here knowing the heritage of the building and knowing that it has been brought back to its original red brick to compliment a lot of the other buildings in town.”