Atinee Building

This three storey building with deep verandahs graced with cast iron balustrade was built by the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney in 1897. The bank began operations on site in 1890, originally in rented premises. Despite being one of the banks that suspended trading during the financial crisis of 1893, it was able restructure and resume trading. It purchased this site and called for tenders for a new building in 1896. The bank occupied this building for more than 40 years. It then renovated a building on the corner of Stokes and Flinders Street in 1939 and sold this building. It has been used for a variety of purposes since that time, including the Relatino Restaurant for 23 years from 1955. Subsequently it housed the Atinee House of Arts and a back packer’s hostel.