The building at 394 Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, now known as Treasury on Collins, was originally built as the head office of the Bank of Australasia in 1876. It is a significant example of Renaissance Revival architecture, and is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.
The Bank of Australasia was one of the first banks to establish a branch in Melbourne, in 1838. As the city grew, the bank’s business expanded, and by the 1870s, its existing premises were too small. In 1858, the bank purchased the site at 394 Collins Street, and construction of the new head office began in 1876.
The building was designed by the architect William Wardell, who was also responsible for designing the Melbourne GPO and the State Library of Victoria. Wardell’s design for the Bank of Australasia was inspired by the Italian Renaissance, and the building features a number of distinctive features, including a rusticated stone facade, arched windows, and a clock tower.
The Bank of Australasia occupied the building for nearly 100 years, until it was sold in 1974. The building was then used for a variety of purposes, including as office space and a hotel. In 1997, the building was converted into apartments and hotel suites, and it reopened as Treasury on Collins in 2013.
Today, Treasury on Collins is a popular hotel and apartment complex, as well as a popular tourist destination. The building’s unique architecture and history make it a valuable part of Melbourne’s heritage.
Building details & particulars
| Building Name | Treasury on Collins |
| Year Built | 1875 & 1929 converted 2001 |
| Building Facilities | Small Gymnasium |
| Number of apartments in complex | 88 |
| Owners Corporation | LR Reed City Level 1, 405 Collins Street Melbourne VIC 3000 Contact: Carole Rolfe E: caroler@lrreedcity.com.au P: 03 8684 8888 |
| Council | City of Melbourne |
| Zoning | Capital City Zone – Schedule 1 |
| Strata Plan no. | PS424955 |
| Search Category: | WHU (Warehouse, Heritage, Unique) |