National Bank Building, Johannesburg

The National Bank Building, also known as the Corner House, was crafted by the acclaimed architects Leck and Emley in the year 1903, and the construction reached its completion in 1904. In the year 1902, Leck and Emley had previously undertaken the design of the adjacent Corner House building, which was finalized in 1904, strategically situated at the intersection of Simmonds and Commissioner Streets. The exterior of the newly constructed National Bank Building seamlessly harmonized with the Corner House, and it is believed that J.B. Taylor, who served as the chairman of the Corner House and concurrently held a directorship at the National Bank, advocated for the amalgamation of the two structures.

In 1953, the bank, now under the banner of Barclays, replicated Taylor's vision. They engaged Gordon Leith to conceive the third segment of the edifice - the Market Street extension. This extension was meticulously designed to align with the existing two structures, thus creating a unified and coherent complex.

The architectural style of the building is characterized by late Victorian Neo-Classical elements, highlighted by an alluring copper dome adorning the corner. Within the banking hall, a glass dome spans overhead, infusing the interior with abundant natural light, creating a spacious and luminous atmosphere. The remainder of the roofscape is comprised of a flat concrete slab. The interior design mirrors the meticulous approach to proportion, featuring exquisite craftsmanship in details like paneling and parquet flooring.

The National Bank Building has been officially recognized as a national monument by the PHRAG due to its historical and cultural significance.