Head Office

^{Officers Club Inc.}
representing Officers and families of
The Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Limited
and its subsidiaries & affiliates.

Head Office

Head Office

Click on bar at left for:
Historical,
Internal,
Safe Custody,
Martin Place photos

1981

1985

1993

2000

2003

2010

1985 building sold to State Superannuation Board

1993 HO as NAB by Frank Chapman

2000 Relocation notice

2003 HO as a Virgin Megastore by Frank Piccoli.

2009-06-11 Dexus sells 343 George St to Abacus Property Group
2010-03-26 Virgin Megastore moves from ground floor 343 George St
2010-09-30 Settlement in Abacus sale to Council for $78m including GST
2010-11 Ground floor being renovated to house Burberry's fashion store. Three photos by John Ness
2011 March World Fashion House BURBERRY 129 King St Sydney to occupy lower ground floor, ground floor & 5th floor of 343 George St
2011-03-06 340 George St is occupied by ladies fashion store so is this the latest trend for banking chambers of similar vintage ?

343 George Street is historically significant as the former headquarters of one of the leading banks in New South Wales, the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Ltd., which had occupied this site since the 1850s until its merger with the National Bank in the 1980s.

The design and execution, scale, form and materials of this building combine to present an extremely fine expression of the qualities and aspirations of a leading, well established and respected bank from the 1920s at a time when great confidence and trust was placed in banks such as the CBC.

The building is significant as a good and early example of the Commercial Palazzo style. The Ground Floor, Lower Ground Floor Safe Deposit Vault and area, and surviving original interiors of the executive areas are exceptionally fine and rare examples of design and craftsmanship of their period, The Banking Chamber and Safe Deposit area are the finest and most intact marble finished bank interiors from the early 20th century in Sydney, the only comparable interiors being the Westpac Bank next door, and the former State Savings Bank in Martin Place, both of which depend in large part on faux marble ('scagliola') for their effect. The principle Ground and Lower Ground Floor spaces are fitted with a collection of exceptionally fine and now rare Australian marbles. The circular Chubb Safe Deposit Vault door is the earliest, as well as one of only two, doors of its type in Australia, the other also being in Sydney.

The elegant grandeur of the banking chamber space with its fine marble and bronze finishes and fittings and the play of natural and artificial light within it evoke the stature, role and functions of one of Sydney's former leading banking institutions.

The building was designed by architects Kent and Massie and is arguably the finest commercial building to be produced by this partnership. It was built by the firm of Stuart Brothers. Both firms made prominent contributions to Sydney's architecture in the first half of the 20th century.

Together with its neighbour, the Westpac Bank, and other nearby significant building of the 19th and early 20th centuries, 343 George Street forms part of an imposing group which visually closes the western end of Martin Place and the north side of Barrack Street. (Design 5 Architects, 2002)
Special thanks to http://www.heritage.nsw.gov.au/

www.sydneyarchitecture.com

Burberry
343 George Street

2011 Marie Clare

2011 Vogue

2011 April Burberry's new Sydney store opens

The new Burberry store at 343 George St, Sydney, is the perfect reflection of the Brit brand. Just as chief creative officer Christopher Bailey marries heritage with cutting edge technology, the new location in a historic building also boasts giant LED screens streaming content from London.

"The thriving, cosmopolitan city of Sydney was the natural choice for our new flagship," says Angela Ahrendts, Burberry's ceo. "We are so proud of the store, which combines the full Burberry product offer with the very latest in digital technology and great customer service, giving our shoppers in the city an unrivalled brand and luxury experience. This innovative store environment inside a beautiful heritage building is the perfect reflection of the history and modern attitude of the Burberry brand".

With stock spread out across 820 square metres, the new location (once home to the Virgin megastore) showcases Burberry Prorsum, Burberry London, Burberry Brit, Burberry Heritage Outerwear, Burberry Childrenswear and Burberry Accessories. Basically, it's a Burberry bonanza.

Expect plenty of parties in the near future on the polished marble floors to celebrate the Australian epicentre of trench coats.

Last modified: 17/12/2007 23:02