AMP Building, Rockhampton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids AMP Building, Rockhampton |
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AMP Building, 1997
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| Location | 183 East Street, Rockhampton, Rockhampton Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s - 1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | 1888 |
| Architect | Francis Drummond Greville Stanley |
| Architectural style(s) | Classicism |
| Official name: AMP Building (former), Brahman House | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600794 |
| Significant period | 1880s (fabric) 1888-1970 (historical use) |
| Significant components | furniture/fittings, loggia/s, fireplace, strong room |
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The AMP Building, also known as Brahman House, is a historic office building in Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by a famous architect named Francis Drummond Greville Stanley and built in 1888. This building is very important to Queensland's history and is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register.
Contents
What is the History of the AMP Building?
The AMP Building, now called Brahman House, is a two-storey building made of stone. It has fancy decorated cement on its front, especially on its covered porch area. It was designed by FDG Stanley, who used to be the main architect for the Queensland government. The building was finished in 1888 for the Australian Mutual Provident Society (AMP).
How Rockhampton Grew
Rockhampton started next to the Fitzroy River. This land was once part of a large farm called Gracemere Station. Gold was found nearby, and the town of Rockhampton was officially created in 1858. The town was planned with wide streets, similar to Melbourne. A local council was set up in 1860 to manage the growing town.
The land where the AMP Building stands was bought in 1859. It was in the middle of Rockhampton's busy business area. In 1886, the Australian Mutual Provident Society bought part of this land. They had just started their office in Rockhampton that same year.
The Australian Mutual Provident Society (AMP)
The Australian Mutual Provident Society (AMP) began in Sydney in 1849. It was a life insurance company. Life insurance helps families financially if a main earner dies. This was very important for early settlers in Australia. AMP grew to become one of the biggest life insurance companies in Australia.
By 1875, AMP set up a special board for Queensland. This was because many members lived there. At first, people living in "tropical" areas like Rockhampton had to pay extra for insurance. This was because people thought it was unhealthy to work outdoors in the heat. By 1881, these extra charges were removed.
AMP started dividing colonies into sales areas in 1883. Each area would have an office in a main town. These buildings often had a special statue on top called "the Amicus." This statue showed Tyche, the Greek goddess of luck, with a cornucopia (a symbol of plenty). It also had a young man, a woman, and a child. The statue's Latin saying was "Amicus certa in re incerta," which means "A certain friend in uncertain times."
Who Designed the Building?
The AMP building in Rockhampton was built in 1888. It was designed by the well-known architect F D G Stanley. He was born in Scotland and moved to Queensland in 1861. He became the Queensland Colonial Architect in 1872. This meant he was the main architect for the government. He designed many important buildings, like the Supreme Court building in Brisbane. Stanley also had his own private architecture business. He was a very respected architect until he passed away in 1897.
Stanley's design for the Rockhampton office looked like AMP's main office in Sydney. An article from 1897 described the inside of the Rockhampton building. It had decorated tile floors and fancy cedar wood fittings. The ceilings were also decorated with detailed plasterwork.
The AMP office stayed in this building until 1970. Then, the company moved to a new building on the same street. In 1972, the building was sold to the Australian Brahman Breeders Association. This group started in 1946 to promote a type of cattle called Brahman. These cattle can handle the heat and ticks in northern Australia better than other breeds. The Australian Brahman Breeders Association still uses the building today.
What Does the AMP Building Look Like?
The AMP Building is a two-storey building in the middle of Rockhampton. It is close to the Fitzroy River. There are other historic buildings nearby, like the Walter Reid Community Arts Centre and John Headrick's Building.
The building is made of brick. The outside is covered with painted cement. The front of the building has a covered porch area, about 2.5 meters deep. It has three large archways.
Front Design Details
The front of the building has three main parts: the ground floor, the first floor, and a decorated top section called a parapet.
- The ground floor arches are framed by four Doric-style columns. These columns have a flat top section called an entablature.
- Above the middle arch, there is a gently curved triangular shape called a pediment. It is decorated with a shield and garlands.
- The top part of the ground floor has carvings of triglyphs and rosettes.
The upper floor also has four columns, placed right above the lower ones. These columns have fancy Corinthian-style tops. Between the columns, there are railings. The building's current name, "Brahman House," is written on the top section. The very top of the building has two decorative urns at each end. In the center, above the curved pediment, the date "A 1888 D" is written. A modern sign with two Brahman bulls is placed on top of this section.
Inside the Porch
Two steps lead from the street to the covered porch area. The floor here has a black and white checkerboard pattern of tiles. Fancy cast iron gates close off the lower part of each archway. The inside wall of the porch is also painted cement.
There are two double doors and a large window. The main entrance door is on the right. Inside, there's another set of doors with etched glass. The large window has three sections.
Upper Floor Verandah
On the upper floor, there is a verandah (a type of balcony). It has three cedar wood doors that open onto it. The ceiling of the verandah is flat and has simple decorative edges.
Sides and Back of the Building
The sides and back of the building are covered with painted cement that looks like stone blocks. The roof is made of corrugated iron and has a sloped shape. A decorative chimney stack comes out of the roof. A newer, single-storey part has been added to the back of the building. The back of the original building has windows that can be seen from Quay Lane.
Inside the Building
Ground Floor Interiors
The ground floor has a reception area, a small open work area, and two offices at the back. There is a long storage space on one side, which includes a polished wooden staircase. A strong room (a very secure room) is still there. Its walls are made of double brick. The floors in the strong room are concrete, while other areas have carpet or vinyl.
The reception desk is made of beautifully carved cedar wood. It connects to similar cedar wood panels around the entrance. The ceilings on the ground floor are about 3 meters high. They have fancy decorative edges with rows of small block-like shapes called dentils.
Upper Floor Interiors
The back staircase has fancy carved cedar wood railings. The upper floor has several offices and a large meeting room. This meeting room opens onto the East Street verandah. One of the upper rooms has a ceiling covered with "ripple iron" (a type of corrugated metal) and a decorative vent. There is also a large metal door in one wall, which might lead to a safe.
The meeting room has a marble fireplace. It has a cast-iron grate and a tiled area in front. The tiles have a pretty plant design. The doors on this floor are made of painted wood. The ceilings on this floor are also about 3 meters high.
Why is the AMP Building Important?
The former AMP Building was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992 for several reasons:
- It shows how Queensland's history developed.
The AMP Society building in Rockhampton shows how much central Queensland grew in the late 1800s. It also shows that people wanted ways to protect their families financially. This was important because the government did not offer welfare benefits back then.
- It shows key features of important cultural places.
The building's classical design shows the high quality expected for such an important company building. It was one of many AMP offices built across Australia. Its top section used to have the "Amicus" statue, which was a well-known symbol of the AMP Society.
- It has great artistic value.
The front of the building is beautifully designed with classical elements. The original cedar wood fittings inside are also very well made. The way the rooms are set up, and the good condition of the finishes and fittings, make the building's interior very special.
- It is linked to important people or groups in Queensland's history.
The AMP building is important because it was the main office for the Australian Mutual Provident Society in central Queensland for 82 years. It is also a great example of the commercial work of FDG Stanley, a very famous Queensland architect.
