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Reserve Bank of Australia Head Office, 65 Martin Place, Sydney Heritage Management Plan 2020
1.0Summary Description
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1.0 Summary Description
| Name | Reserve Bank of Australia (Head Office) |
|---|---|
| Address | 65 Martin Place, Sydney NSW 2000 |
| Land Title | Lot 1 of DP 444499; Lot 1 of DP 32720; Lot 1 of DP 33919 (Parish of St James, County of Cumberland) |
| Original Owner | Commonwealth of AustraliaReserve Bank of Australia |
| Present Owner | Reserve Bank of Australia |
| Local Government Area | City of Sydney |
| Construction Dates | 1959-64, original building1976-1980, south additions No. 2 site1991-1996, re-cladding and internal refurbishment |
| Architect | Commonwealth Department of Works Banks and Special Projects Branch |
| Builder | EA Watts Pty Limited: original construction and 1976-80 and 1991-96 construction phases. |
| Heritage Status | Commonwealth Heritage List (Place ID No. 105456) Sydney Local Environmental Plan 2012 (Schedule 5, Item No. I1897) NSW State Heritage Inventory Online Database (No. 2423917) Australian Institute of Architects (NSW Chapter) Register of Significant Architecture in NSW (Reg No. 4702937) |
| Summary Description | The RBA Head Office building is a commercial office building of 25-storeys, including 3 basement levels, of Post War International Modernist Style with three prominent street frontages, utilising high quality external and internal materials. The tower structure has its primary frontage to Martin Place, and sits on a four-storey podium divided into two upper floors and two floors of full height recessed glazing below, enclosing a double volume entry foyer and adjoining public areas. The tower over is steel framed and clad with grey granite fixed over the original marble facings, with aluminium window sections and black granite column trims.Despite later enlargement of the tower to the south and considerable internal modification, the building retains its original architectural character. The ground floor entrance foyer retains examples of original fabric and finishes. |
| Summary Statement of Cultural Significance | The Reserve Bank Head Office, Martin Place Sydney is a significant example of the work of the Commonwealth Department of Works built in the early 1960s in an International Modernist style. It was built to house the specific functional requirements of the newly created Reserve Bank of Australia.It has strong historic associations with Dr HC Coombs and the early establishment of the Bank, as well as with the development of Australian economic policy and banking practice throughout the second half of the twentieth century and early twenty-first century.It has strong aesthetic values in its overall design and execution for the quality of its facades and public spaces, the use of high quality materials and in its contribution as a building element within the significant streetscapes of Macquarie Street and Martin Place. |