389-399 Collins Street

First land sale 1 June 1837, Block 3, Allotment 11, John Hodgson. Subdivisions & lanes established by 1840 (no building shown).1877 - 10 buildings; 1, 2 & 3 storeys, Retail & Insurance.1888 - 12 buildings; Insurance, Brokers, Agents, Merchants. 1891-93 - new building constructed.1905 - 6 buildings; Insurance (Life & Marine) including National Mutual.

Heritage Inventory Significance: REGISTER OF THE NATIONAL ESTATE - CITATION: A MASSIVE BRICK AND CONCRETE GOTHIC REVIVAL STRUCTURE, FACED IN FREESTONE AND ERECTED IN TWO STAGES. THE FIRST, IN 1891 BY ROBERT GAMLIN, WAS DESIGNED BY WRIGHT, REED & BEAVER FOR THE NATIONAL MUTUAL LIFE ASSOCIATION. IT COMPRISES THE COLLINS STREET AND THREE BAYS OF THE QUEEN STREET FACADES. THE REMAINDER WAS ERECTED IN 1903. THERE ARE DEEP RECESSED ARCHES AND PROJECTING ORIELS CLIMBING THE FACADE, A CORNER TOWER, FINE MOULDING AND FREESTONE MATERIAL, AND A SUBURB VESTIBULE, GROUND FLOOR OFFICES AND CHAMBER. ESSENTIALLY INTACT AND OF ARCHITECTURAL MERIT, IT IS THE FOCAL POINT OF SIMILAR STRUCTURES IN THE AREA.

Archeological Potential: Extant bldg Fabric,Potential/Disturbed,Site