Central Business District in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia — Oceania
375 Queen Street
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, July 20, 2026
1. 375 Queen Street Marker
built c1860
for James Lawrence
Builder
Classified
Erected by National Trust of Australia - Victoria.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Colonial Era. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.
Location. 37° 48.58′ S, 144° 57.486′ E. Marker is in Melbourne, Victoria. It is in the Central Business District. It is at the intersection of Queen Street and Franklin Street, on the left when traveling north on Queen Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 375 Queen Street, Melbourne VIC 3004, Australia. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Oceania, in Australasia, in the Pacific Ocean, in South Pacific, on the Pacific Rim, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Gill (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); The Home of the Historical Society of Victoria (about 180 meters away); Dr. Constance Stone (about 180 meters away); Victorian Women Doctors of World War One
this page online
Also see . . . Bank of New South Wales. Victorian Heritage Database
The Bank of New South Wales at 375 Queen Street appears to date from around 1860. It was built by James Lawrence, a stonemason, as his own residence. It consists of a bluestone ground floor with sandstone first floor. It is likely that the mixed use of sandstone and basalt together with the apparent filling-in of previously larger window openings in the ground floor basalt section using sandstone indicates that the building was originally constructed as a single storey structure and extended at a later date. MMBW maps from 1895 indicate the building as a two storey one at that time. The building features sophisticated mouldings defining the ground floor window openings, which consist of one round arch together with four stilted segmental arches. The first floor window recesses(Submitted on September 1, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria.)replicate the ground floor window openings.Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, July 20, 20262. 375 Queen Street - Marker is to right of door
How is it significant?
The Bank of New South Wales is of historical and architectural significance to the State of Victoria.
Why is it significant?
The Bank of New South Wales is of historical significance as a very rare example of a mid-19th century house in the CBD. It serves as a reminder of the form and character of the city’s early development, when residential and commercial properties shared the city’s central space, indeed when many people worked from their homes. Its apparently staged construction reflects the usually limited means of most small-scale owner-builders, who often added to their original structures when their resources permitted.
The Bank of New South Wales is of architectural significance as a rare example of a mid-19th century residential building constructed by an owner-builder. The fine quality of the building is a testament to the skills of many 19th century tradesmen. The unusual combination of stone and unconventional use of motifs – ranging from Doric to Romanesque – give the building a distinctive architectural character. It has the simple character of early colonial building, before the effects of the gold rushes on Melbourne’s architecture were truly felt.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 1, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
