The Greek Revival facade has been ripped away as part of the $10.5 million Albury Art Gallery redevelopment due for completion in mid-next year.

The single-story section was added to the original 1880s Crown Lands Office when the NSW government Savings Bank gave it a grand new face in a 1924 extension.

It spent £5000 ($10,000) on the front section and also lashed out on a maple interior before the bank crashed seven years later.

The building was named decades later after former Albury mayor Percy Burrows.

Burrows House has had numerous incarnations including an overflow home for city council staff, a travel centre and a branch of the former Albury Murray Credit Union.

Most recently, it was home to the popular Retro Youth Cafe.

Albury Council community and recreation director James Jenkins said the decision to remove the 1934 section was prompted by a heritage study conducted as part of original plans for the redeveloped art gallery.

“It showed the key heritage building was the original lands department building built in 1881,” he said.

“It found the 1924 addition didn’t add a lot to the streetscape.”

A verandah will wrap around the western, southern and eastern sides of Burrows House when the redevelopment work by Zauner Construction is complete.

The original lands department building had a verandah.

Mr Jenkins said the verandah would be open only on special occasions.

An art gallery retail shop fronting Dean Street will also be part of the Burrows House makeover.

“The old one wasn’t ideal from a retail point of view,” Mr Jenkins said.

“It will allow us to sell more local artists’ art and craft work.

“All the product in the shop will be Australian made.

“It will be lit at night and that area will be a lot safer.”

The art gallery has also been designed to be more visible for people walking towards Dean Street from AMP Lane.

Additions to the art gallery building in the 1950s and 1980s are also being demolished.

A cafe and restaurant will front QEII Square.