Northern Whig, Friday 11th April 1930
The new premises in Royal Avenue, Belfast, for the Bank of Ireland will be opened on Monday. The building, a conspicuous structure of five stories is of the modern school of design, and as such is one of the first of its kind in Belfast.
Its chief characteristic from this point of view is the fact that the artistic side of the design in mainly influenced by the structural and utilitarian requirements of the building. Thus the large windows with metal panels between are made a feature of the design and no attempt is made to camouflage any essential feature, as is so often done where an old style of architecture is applied to a building of modern construction.
The entrance to the banking hall is at the corner of Royal Avenue and North Street, where a pair of finely wrought-iron gates lead to a porch in bronze, marble, and glass.
In the banking hall, which is a lofty apartment, all fittings are in bronze and marble. The manager’s office, like the porch, is in bronze, glass and marble.
The desks, and all clerical equipment will be of steel. This marks an innovation in bank furniture in Ireland. It has many advantages over the old style of mahogany and other woods, occupying less space and being easier to keep clean. Burrough’s ledger posting machines will be installed, and another feature will be a night safe.
