The Bank of New South Wales began operating on the site in rented premises in 1851. In 1853, the bank purchased the property and in 1866 erected a purpose-built bank with residence (pictured). The contractor was Hugo William Du Rietz. This first building was demolished in 1928 and replaced by the current building which was completed in 1930.
Designed by the firm of Hall and Devereux, it was erected by FJ Corbett & Sons for approximately 124,000. It was an example of the pervasive fashion for the neo-classical style in commercial and civic buildings of similar scale and materials during this period.
33 Queen Street remained the headquarters of the Bank of New South Wales until a new chief office was built in 1970. Later it became a branch of the Westpac Banking Corporation, a successor of the Bank of New South Wales.
