Community & Business
19 January, 2025
Old bank on the market for $1.5m
One of Pittsworth’s most iconic buildings is on the market. The former bank building is located at 92 Yandilla Street and one of the town’s oldest and grandest structures.
The building’s origins date back more than a century, when the Union Bank opened in Pittsworth in 1898.
The first account at the branch was that of the Gunbower partnership of James Thomas Stirling and George Gerard.
In February 1905, tenders were being considered for the erection of a two storey building for the Union Bank.
It would include space for the manager’s residence.
By April that year, the contractor for the new Union Bank had arrived and work began.
The present building was constructed at cost of £1500.
In 1906 the manager of the bank was reported as A. D. McIntyre.
In 1952, the Union Bank of Australia merged with the Bank of Australasia to form the ANZ Bank.
The oldest business accounts still active at the turn of this century were those of the Methodist Church and Show Society, both started in 1901, The Pittsworth Sentinel in 1903 and Pittsworth Shire Council in 1913.
The bank and vaults occupied the front of the ground floor, with the rear and second story, reached by a magnificent timber staircase (which still exists today) serving as the residence of the manager and his family.
The building continued as a bank until 2003 when the ANZ Branch shifted to the corner of Yandilla and Short Street, and later closed.
In November 2003, the property was sold to the current owners for $295,000.
The building was leased in September 2004, and the old bank was transformed into Tea Rooms.
Ten years later, real estate and auctioneering firm Mark Droney Real Estate Pty Ltd opened their new offices on the premises.
Since the end of 2016, the building has remained vacant.
The owners have placed the building up for sale with Kathy Hohns from Ray White Rural Pittsworth and are inviting offers from $1,500,000.
The building is set on 1623 sq. metres with double street frontage and two deeds.
Upstairs are five spacious bedrooms on two levels, two of which have French doors leading to the north facing verandah.
Along with air conditioning, the home has five open fireplaces.
It is an unique building that has seen time go by from the horses and cart to today’s electric cars.
