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138 Mary Street, Brisbane
138 Mary Street, Brisbane, 2019, 01.jpg
138 Mary Street, Brisbane, 2019
Location 138 Mary Street, Brisbane CBD, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Design period 1900 - 1914 (early 20th century)
Built c. 1901
Built for Perkins Brewery
Official name: 138 Mary Street, Buzzards, Perkins Wine & Spirit Store
Type state heritage (built)
Designated 21 October 1992
Reference no. 600131
Significant period c. 1901-c. 1913 (fabric)
c. 1901-1943 (historical)
Significant components loading bay/dock, store/s / storeroom / storehouse, laneway, warehouse, other - retail/wholesale/services: component, courtyard
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138 Mary Street, Brisbane is a special old building in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It is a heritage-listed building, which means it is protected because of its history and importance. This building was once a large warehouse or storehouse for wine and other drinks.

It was built around 1901 for a company called Perkins Brewery. Today, this company is known as Castlemaine Perkins. The building is also sometimes called Buzzards or Perkins Wine & Spirit Store. It was officially added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992, making sure it stays safe for future generations.

A Look Back: The Story of 138 Mary Street

This historic building was constructed around 1901 for the famous Perkins Brewery. Brisbane's very first brewery, called the City Brewery, started right on Mary Street in the 1860s.

Perkins Brewery: A Growing Business

In 1872, two brewers from Toowoomba, Patrick and Thomas Perkins, bought the City Brewery. They made the business grow very quickly. By the 1880s, their brewery covered a huge area between Mary Street and Margaret Street. The Perkins complex, especially its tall six-story brewing tower, was a major landmark in that part of the city.

Expanding the Brewery's Space

To make more room for their growing business, Perkins & Co bought the land at 138 Mary Street in 1899. By 1902, they had built this new building. They used it as a store for their wine and spirits. It is thought that the famous architect Richard Gailey might have designed this building, as he worked on other projects for the Perkins company.

Changes Over the Years

In 1928, Perkins Brewery joined with another big Brisbane brewing company. They formed a new company called Castlemaine Perkins Ltd. Over time, the Perkins operations slowly moved from the city center to the Castlemaine site in Milton.

In 1937, a big fire badly damaged the main Perkins complex across the street. Luckily, only this building at 138 Mary Street and the old stables at 124 Mary Street survived from what was once a very large industrial area in the city. In 1943, the building was sold to a company called Alfred Lawrence & Co Ltd, which made chemicals. They owned the building until 1977.

What the Building Looks Like

The storehouse at 138 Mary Street is a small commercial building. It is located near the Perkins Stables and Mooneys Building, with Harolds Marine and Charlotte House behind it.

Outside the Building

This brick building has one main level, with a stone basement that is partly visible from the footpath. The front of the building, called the facade, is covered in a smooth cream-colored finish. The facade is split into two almost identical parts. Each part has three large arched openings. The middle opening in each section is a bit wider than the others. Above these wider openings, there are triangular shapes called pediments at the top of the wall, supported by decorative brackets.

The lower part of the facade looks like it's made of large, smooth blocks of stone. A decorative line runs across the building at the bottom of the arches. The rounded arches have fancy borders and special stones at the top called keystones. Another decorative line with small block shapes runs below the top wall, in line with the bottom of the triangular pediments. The original entrance is in the middle of the right side. Two new entrances have been added to match the original style.

Inside and Around the Building

Narrow paths, called laneways, run down both sides of the building. There are square-shaped openings along each side to let in natural light. At the back, there is a plain brick building shaped like an "L." This creates a small open area, or courtyard, with the back of the front building. This L-shaped part seems to have been added later, but before 1913. It has wide, shallow arched brick openings. The narrow part connecting the two sections has a loading area on the first floor.

Inside the front building, you can see some of the original stonework in the basement. However, the upstairs area has been updated. In the back building, much of the original floor structure can be seen from the basement.

Why 138 Mary Street is Important

138 Mary Street was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992 because it meets several important rules.

  • It shows how Queensland's history has changed.

This building is an important reminder of a big industrial brewing complex. It played a significant role in the history of businesses and industries in Queensland.

  • It shows what a certain type of building looks like.

It is a great example of a small commercial building from the early 1900s.

  • It looks beautiful and adds to the area.

Its style, size, and shape make the street look special. It fits in well with nearby buildings like Mooneys Building and Perkins Stables.

  • It has a special connection to important people or groups.

The building is important because of its link to the Perkins breweries, which were a big part of Queensland's history.

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