arete Australia’s ANZ Banking Museum has been nominated for the 2025 Master Builders Victoria Excellence in Fitout Under $5M category.
Located within Melbourne’s iconic Gothic Bank, this project stands as a masterclass in heritage restoration and precision craftsmanship. arete partnered with ANZ, Foolscap Studio and specialist conservators to transform the 1887 landmark into a public museum celebrating nearly two centuries of banking history.
The team undertook meticulous restoration of the original mosaic floor tiles, with damaged sections hand-crafted off-site to replicate the 19th-century design. The heritage counter joinery was carefully dismantled, catalogued and reimagined into custom display units that now showcase ANZ’s historic artefact collection. Modern services were seamlessly integrated to preserve both the aesthetic and structural integrity of the building’s fabric.
This project demonstrates how craftsmanship, respect for heritage and thoughtful innovation can combine to create a space that honours the past while engaging visitors for generations to come.
