Ercildoune, Footscray

Ercildoune
The building in 2020
Ercildoune, Footscray is located in Melbourne
Ercildoune, Footscray
Location within Melbourne
Interactive map of the Ercildoune area
General information
StatusCompleted
Architectural style
Victorian Italianate
Location66 Napier Street, Footscray, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Coordinates37°48′15″S 144°54′7″E / 37.80417°S 144.90194°E / -37.80417; 144.90194
Completed
1876 (1876)
ClientNational Bank of Australasia
OwnerFootscray Historical Society (since 1970)
Technical details
MaterialCement, bluestone, slate, ceramic tiles
Floor count2
Design and construction
ArchitectLeonard Terry
Architecture firm
Terry and Oakden
Main contractorGoss Hopkins
Official name
Ercildoune
TypeRegistered place
Designated26 August 1981
Reference no.H0494
HO55
Categories
  • Commercial
  • Residential buildings (private)
Official name
Ercildoune
TypeDefunct register
CriteriaA.4, E.1, and F.1
Designatedundated
Reference no.15093
References
[1][2][3]

Ercildoune is a former bank building, now community offices, located at 66 Napier Street in Footscray, an inner-western suburb of Melbourne, in Victoria, Australia. Built in 1876 as a bank branch, the building has variously been used as a residence from 1919 to 1970, and was extensively renovated and restored in 1975. The building is owned by the Footscray Historical Society and used as offices for the non-profit organisation.

The property was added to the Victorian Heritage Register on 26 August 1981 in recognition of its architectural and historical significance;[1] having been added to a non-statutory list by the Victorian branch of the National Trust on 20 October 1969;[2] and was added, on an unknown date, to the now defunct Register of the National Estate.[4]

History

Ercildoune was built as a local branch for the National Bank of Australasia, designed by Leonard Terry, of prolific bank architects, Terry and Oakden, in the Victorian Italianate style.[2] Previously operating in temporary premises since 1872, the bank branch opened in 1876 and remained in this location until 1918 when it relocated to the Colonial Bank building in Barkly Street when the banks amalgamated in 1918. The following year, the building was converted residential use, was divided into flats in 1940, and purchased by the Footscray Historical Society in 1970,[1] in a dilapidated state,[3] and subsequently restored.

Description

Ercildoune is a rendered bluestone two-storey[a] building designed in a simple Victorian Italianate style. It consists of two sections, the main one originally containing the banking chamber and manager’s residence above, and the rear section containing the service wing. Both sections have hipped slate roofs and simple detailing. The main facade of the building is symmetrically composed with two arched porticos and two windows on the ground floor. Four corresponding windows at the first floor level have segmental arches and iron balustrade panels. A substantial cornice divides the two levels.[1]

Ercildoune, viewed from across the road, in 2020

Since its construction, a toilet block adjoining the service wing was added. The building remains largely intact including retention of the original banking chamber tessellated tile floor. Although in a poor condition when acquired by the Footscray Historical Society in 1970, the building was subsequently restored.[1]

The Ercildoune Reserve is a small urban park located adjacent to the building.[5]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Victorian branch of the National Trust states it is three storeys.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Ercildoune, Victorian Heritage Register (VHR) Number H0494, Heritage Overlay HO55". Victorian Heritage Database. Heritage Victoria. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Ercildoune (National Trust list), Victorian Heritage Register (VHR) Number H0494". Victorian Heritage Database. Heritage Victoria. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
  3. 1 2 "History of Ercildoune and Footscray Historical Society". Footscray Historical Society. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
  4. ↑ "Ercildoune' (Place ID 15093)". Australian Heritage Database. Australian Government. n.d. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
  5. ↑ "Ercildoune Reserve". Maribyrnong City Council. 2026. Retrieved 23 June 2026.

Further reading

  • Butler, G. (1989). Urban Conservation Study. City of Footscray (Report).
  • Lack, J. (1991). A History of Footscray. Melbourne.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  • Trethowan, B. (1976). Banks in Victoria, 1851-1939. Melbourne.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  • "[No title]". Nautilus. National Bank: 30–32. n.d.

Wikimedia Commons logo Media related to Ercildoune, Footscray at Wikimedia Commons

  • "Home page". Footscray Historical Society. n.d. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
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