A century-old bank is on the market in Avoca, but the owners assure buyers it’s been “de-banked” - aside from the historic vault that remains at the centre of the home.
Image: Circa Heritage and Lifestyle Property Specialists
What’s selling: Built in 1912, the Old Bank of Victoria is built in “Italianiante Victorian” style, a form of architecture defined by tall windows, low-pitched roof, balconettes and inspired by Renaissance Italy.
As the gold rush unfolded throughout Melbourne and Victoria in the late 1800s, the Italianiante style became more popular. The building is constructed from 400,000 locally-made bricks, and the interior features Baltic and Kauri pine, along with a cedar staircase.
The story behind: Harvey and Carol Wilkins have lived in the building for 19 years.
Harvey told the Brolga there’s a feature on the building’s original construction in a 1913 edition of historic newspaper the Ballarat Star.
“The building was very seminal for the town, and it took a couple of years to build,” he said. “It’s one of the strongest buildings around because it was built with reinforced steel, and has a steel core”.
“You wouldn’t know from looking at it, would you?”
Image: Circa Heritage and Lifestyle Property Specialists
Life inside: The Wilkins have a passion for history in many strokes. They have used the building as a base for their business importing 17th-century antiques from England.
“I’m certainly not a modernist, that’s for sure,” Harvey said. “It’s captured us, this place. I’m not a country person but you get into it a bit”.
Image: Circa Heritage and Lifestyle Property Specialists
What next? Harvey said it was a difficult decision to decide to list the home for sale, but the two are planning a move to Ballarat.
Should any locals wish to live alongside a bank vault, the listing is live here.
Image: Circa Heritage and Lifestyle Property Specialists
Header Image: Circa Heritage and Lifestyle Property Specialists