169 Mary Street, Brisbane facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 169 Mary Street, Brisbane |
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169 Mary Street, 2019
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| Location | 169 Mary Street, Brisbane City, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s - 1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | 1887 - 1888 |
| Architect | Richard Gailey |
| Official name: 169 Mary Street, Coal Board Building | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600132 |
| Significant period | 1887-1888 (fabric) 1888-1960 (historical) |
| Significant components | toilet block/earth closet/water closet, other - retail/wholesale/services: component |
| Builders | T Game |
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169 Mary Street is a special old building in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It's a three-storey warehouse that was built a long time ago, between 1887 and 1888. It stands on the corner of Mary Street and Edward Street in the city center. A famous architect named Richard Gailey designed it, and T Game built it. This building is so important that it's listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, which means it's protected because of its history and unique style. It's also known as the Coal Board Building.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
How the Building Started
This large brick building was put up in 1887-1888. It was built for two important Queenslanders: William Allan and William Graham. They were both politicians and businessmen. They built it as an investment, hoping to make money from it.
The land where the building stands was first given to John Balfour in 1852. Later, in 1885, William Allan became the owner. In 1887, William Graham joined him as a co-owner. Both Allan and Graham were originally from Edinburgh, Scotland. They had many business interests together, including being on the first board of the Royal Bank of Queensland.
Brisbane's Growing City
In the 1880s, Brisbane was growing very fast. Many new businesses and buildings were appearing. The area around lower Edward Street, close to the Brisbane River wharves (where ships loaded and unloaded goods), became a busy place for warehouses. Allan and Graham's warehouse was part of this growth. It's one of the few old warehouses from that time that are still standing in Brisbane today.
Other similar buildings from that period include:
- The Metro Arts Building (built in 1890)
- Spencer's Building (built in 1890)
- The Brisbane and Area Water Board Building (built in 1886)
- Charlotte House (built in 1888)
- Watson Brothers Building (built in 1887)
- Tara House (built in 1878)
- Heckelmann's Building (built in 1891)
Who Used the Building?
In January 1887, the architect Richard Gailey asked for bids to build the warehouse. Brisbane builder T Game won the job, and it cost £4,295 to build. The building was finished in 1888.
The first company to rent the warehouse was J & B Sniders, who imported china and glass. After that, many different businesses used the building, including:
- McMurtie & Co. (who made boots)
- Companies selling farm products and leather
- Engineers
- Hardware suppliers
- Saddlers' ironmongers (people who sold metal parts for saddles)
From 1900 to 1914, the Gibson family, who owned a sugar plantation near Bundaberg, owned the building. Then, from 1928 to 1960, a company called Mauri Brothers and Thomson Ltd. owned and used it. In 1960, the Queensland Main Roads Commission bought the property. Since 1968, the building has been used as offices for the Queensland Government and different community groups.
What Does It Look Like?
Outside the Building
The old Coal Board building is made of brick and has three floors, plus a basement. The outside walls are covered in a smooth finish. The roof is hidden behind a tall wall at the top, and it's made of corrugated iron.
The building looks like it's split into two equal parts. There's a wall in the middle with two arched openings on each floor. The building has a fancy design with pilasters (flat columns) and decorative cornices (mouldings) between each floor. The top of the building has a solid wall with a triangular shape in the middle and round decorations called finials on the sides.
The main entrance is in the middle of the corner part of the building.
- On the ground floor, each section has a large window. Below these, there are basement windows covered with cast iron screens.
- The first floor has two windows in each section, with slightly arched tops and decorative mouldings. There's also a concrete railing below the windows.
- The second floor looks similar, but its windows have rounded tops.
The side of the building facing Edward Street has four sections and a similar design. The back wall of the building is made of English bond brickwork and isn't covered in the smooth finish.
Inside the Building
When you enter the building, you go through two wooden doors with a window above them. This leads into a small entry area. The ground floor has some fancy pressed metal ceilings near the entrance, but most of the ceilings are made of hardboard.
There's a staircase with a wooden railing in one corner of the building. There's also an old goods lift, which is like a small elevator for moving items. The lift has a folding metal door, and its motor room is on the roof.
The first floor has ceilings with wooden strips, and the second floor has hardboard ceilings. The basement has a concrete floor. Steel columns and beams have been added in the basement to help support the floor above.
At the back of the building, there's a three-storey brick toilet block and a steel fire escape. These are connected to the main building by concrete walkways. There's also space for car parking at the back, facing Edward Street.
Why Is It Important?
169 Mary Street was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992, because it meets several important rules.
Showing Queensland's History
This building helps us understand how Queensland's history unfolded. It shows how the lower Edward Street area used to be a very important place for warehouses, where goods were stored and traded.
A Great Example of a Warehouse
169 Mary Street is a fantastic example of a fancy late Victorian warehouse. Its style, size, and details really show the hopeful and positive feelings of the 1880s.
Beautiful Design
The building is also important because of its beautiful look. The way its front (facade) is designed, with its repeating patterns and size, adds a lot to the look of both Edward and Mary Streets. People in the community value its aesthetic (artistic) qualities.
Connected to a Famous Architect
Finally, 169 Mary Street is special because it's linked to the work of architect Richard Gailey. His company designed many buildings that made Brisbane's city look the way it did in the 1880s.
