Adelaide Steamship Co Ltd Building, Cairns facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Adelaide Steamship Company Ltd Building |
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Adelaide Steamship Co Ltd Building, 2008
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| Location | 37 Lake Street, Cairns, Cairns Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1900 - 1914 (early 20th century) |
| Built | 1910 |
| Architectural style(s) | Arts & Crafts |
| Official name: Adelaide Steamship Co Ltd (former), Adelaide Steamship Company Ltd Building | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 9 July 1993 |
| Reference no. | 600381 |
| Significant period | 1910 (fabric) 1910- 1964 (historical use) |
| Significant components | wall/s, gate - entrance |
| Builders | Wilson & Baillie |
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The Adelaide Steamship Company Ltd Building is a historic office building located at 37 Lake Street in Cairns, Queensland, Australia. It was built in 1910 by a company called Wilson & Baillie. This building is very important to the history of Queensland. Because of its history and special design, it was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 9 July 1993.
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What is the History of This Building?
This single-story building was built in 1910. It was made for the Adelaide Steamship Company Limited. They needed new offices in Cairns for their growing business.
How Did the Adelaide Steamship Company Start?
The Adelaide Steamship Company Ltd started in Adelaide in 1875. They began shipping goods and people along the Queensland coast in 1893. By 1895, they had an office in Cairns. Cairns was becoming a very important port. It helped move minerals, farm products, and sugar from Far North Queensland.
Around 1905, the company opened a branch office in Cairns. They might have rented a space at first. In 1907, James Harvey bought the land for the current building. He was the chairman of the company.
Who Designed and Built the Building?
In 1909, an architect from Cairns named Harvey George Lloyd Draper helped with the plans. It's not fully clear if he designed the building himself. The building was created in a style called Arts and Crafts. This style started in Europe. It was changed to fit the warm, tropical weather of Cairns.
Cairns contractors Wilson & Baillie built the office. They finished it in 1910. The building officially opened on 12 December 1910. Its location helped other businesses grow along Spence Street.
Why Was This Building So Important?
The new offices were built during a time when shipping was a big business. Major Australian shipping companies were competing. They wanted to carry passengers and cargo along the Queensland coast. The Adelaide Steamship Company Ltd was one of these big companies.
Building this office showed how important the company was. They helped the economy of North Queensland grow. This was especially true for the Cairns area. They were very involved in the sugar, coal, and passenger shipping trades.
The Adelaide Steamship Co. Ltd sold the building in 1964. In 1976, the current owners bought it. Some parts of the building have changed over time. For example, some concrete railings and an office on the corner were removed. Some timber windows were also moved or taken out.
What Does the Building Look Like?
The former Adelaide Steamship building is a single-story building. It is made of rough-rendered masonry, which means it has a textured, rough surface. It stands on the corner of Lake and Spence Street. This is at the edge of the main business area in Cairns. Its design shows a strong influence from the Arts and Crafts style.
What Are Its Main Features?
The roof is made of corrugated iron. It has special shaped ends called gables. The roof edges, called eaves, stick out. They are held up by curved metal brackets. There are also tall, thin pillars called piers. These piers have small, curved gables above them. The piers at the corners have round balls on top.
The building has covered walkways called verandahs along both streets. These verandahs have arches. There are five arches facing Lake Street and three facing Spence Street. Large fabric awnings are attached to these arches.
On the Lake Street side, there is a shallow, curved central gable. This part used to be the main entrance. Now, it has a window. Above the window, you can see the words "THE ADELAIDE STEAMSHIP CO LTD" carved into the building. There is also a sculpture of one of their ships.
Some parts of the curved, solid railings on the verandahs have been removed. This was done to create a new entrance on the corner. The end sections of the verandahs have timber-framed windows that open outwards.
On the Spence Street side, there is a wall with a special keyhole-shaped gateway. It has scroll designs above it. Next to it is a driveway with gates. A small toilet building and a carport are located at the back of the building. Inside, the building has been updated.
Why is This Building Heritage-Listed?
The Adelaide Steamship Co Ltd Building was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 9 July 1993. This means it is protected because it is important to history.
How Does it Show Queensland's History?
This building helps us understand how Cairns grew. It became a major port in Far North Queensland in the early 1900s.
Is it a Rare or Special Building?
Yes, it is a rare example of an Arts and Crafts style building in Cairns. It was designed especially to suit the tropical weather.
Why is it Beautiful or Important to Look At?
The building has many beautiful features that people in Cairns value. This includes its size, shape, materials, and how all the parts of its design fit together. It was designed in the Arts and Crafts style. This style was adapted well for the Cairns climate. The building also adds to the look of Lake and Spence streets and the whole town of Cairns.
Who is This Building Connected To?
The building has a special connection to the Adelaide Steamship Company Ltd. This company played a very big part in helping Far North Queensland's economy grow in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
