[3][1] A glazed timber-framed screen was constructed in lieu of the original solid wall on the northern side of the front entrance perch, possibly around the 1940s.
[1] In 1986–87, the clock was electrified and general conservation works and internal refurbishment undertaken including wholesale exterior repainting, repaving of front porch, installation of mat wells, kitchenettes, public space counters and joinery.
The public space was refurbished c. 1990s with standard angled counters, slat wall display units, lighting and carpet.
Symmetrical in arrangement, the stuccoed structure features an arcaded side, with clock tower (with locally cast bell) to the other facade.
[1] Castlemaine Post Office is a two-storey building of rendered brick construction with a hipped slate-tiled roof, galvanised iron ridge-capping and a centrally-placed clock tower in four stages with a balustrade parapet and flagpole, facing Barker Street.
Compositionally, the clock tower is supported on a breakfront that indicates the main front entrance which is screened by an elaborate cast iron pair of gates.
The third stage vents are stilted round arches on panelled astylar pilasters with angled vanes and accentuated keystones.
A first floor loading door is placed at the centre of the north elevation, east wing, with a non-original steel gantry within its arch.
[1] Externally, Castlemaine Post Office's ability to demonstrate its original design is exceptionally good with regard to architectural conception, principle materials and detail despite a small number of alterations and additions.
Accretions such as later gates, paving, signage and lighting are generally superficial and reversible and have not diminished the overall integrity or level of significance of the place.
Such works include the installation of floor linings, replacement ceilings, mechanical ducting, cabinetry, lighting and over painting of timber components.
Despite refurbishment and a small number of alterations, the original intent of the design is clearly legible in plan form which, atypically, is particularly pronounced both internally and externally.
The building demonstrates principal functional and aesthetic characteristics of the type including an accomplished application of style and endowment of monumental civic form; incorporation of frontal components such as accessible offices, clock tower, loggia and porch; clear separation of a residential component; and increased size to reflect increased volume of a rapidly developing region.
Stylistically, Castlemaine Post Office is an impressive Italianate palazzo design, then popular in the government department and further afield, which fully embodies the mid-Victorian Renaissance mode and a symmetrical composition with restrained yet bold detail.
Architecturally, Castlemaine Post Office is an example of the enduring and highly regarded Public Works Department architect, J. J. Clark (1852-1879) under the aegis of William Wardell.
Castlemaine Post Office is also a cohesive and well-composed design enhanced by high-quality, albeit restrained, detail and bold massing.
The post office demonstrates a high degree of artistic merit, and is regarded as one of J. J. Clark's most skilled compositions and characteristically inventive.
[1] This Wikipedia article was originally based on Castlemaine Post Office, entry number 105514 in the Australian Heritage Database published by the Commonwealth of Australia 2019 under CC-BY 4.0 licence, accessed on 9 March 2019.