the rural bank

"If the primary activity of the nation was erection, improvement and expansion of buildings and land then, with few exceptions, the perceived or actual worth of the land was the only criteria by which it could be judged, and if the buildings were in a vernacular that was of another place and time, and were worth more demolished than standing then down they came."

Garrett, P. ‘National Estate or Real Estate: Crunch Time for the Harbour City’, 1999 http://www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au

The Rural Bank Building in Sydney's Martin Place was a granite and sandstone shrine to high art deco.

check out those friezes in the main banking chamber. The lift lobby was detailed in brass trim.

Even though it's architectural value was fully recognised and there'd been a campaign to save it, in 1985 it was pulled down to make way for this. I remember I went for a final sightsee, like many others, just weeks before.

All that I know of that's left of it are the rams' heads from the old exterior (it was the Rural Bank), which were saved and stored in the new building.

more pics here