Allan and Stark Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Allan and Stark Building |
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The various facades of the former Allan and Stark building, 2009
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| Location | 110 Queen Street, Brisbane City, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Official name: Myer Store (former) [incorporating Miss Brisbane 600136], Allan and Stark | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600162 |
| Significant period | 1881-1923 (fabric) 1899-1970 (historical, Alan and Stark) |
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The Allan and Stark Building is a group of historic buildings located at 110 Queen Street in Brisbane City, Queensland, Australia. These buildings are connected but not exactly the same. They are important because they were once home to a very popular department store.
The earliest part of the building was built in 1881. The architect Andrea Stombuco designed some sections. The famous Allan and Stark department store started operating here in 1899. They first leased a small part of the site. Over many years, until 1964, the business grew. They bought or leased more buildings next door. This created the large row of buildings we see today. Allan and Stark ran their store here until 1970. Then, the buildings were sold to another big retailer, Myer. Myer continued to use the site as a department store until 1988.
The building at the very end of the row (on the left if you're looking from Queen Street) looks a bit different. It used to be called the Manwaring Building. It was one of four similar buildings built in 1888. The building next to it, the former Palings Building, is still there.
Contents
A Look Back: The Story of Allan and Stark
The former Myer Store is actually several buildings joined together. They were built between 1881 and the early 1920s. A long time ago, this area was a convict barracks. When the government decided to clear the land, new shops and businesses were built along Queen Street.
How Allan and Stark Began
James Allan and Robert Stark started their clothing business in South Brisbane in 1882. After a big flood in 1893, they decided to move their business to the north side of the river. In 1899, they began leasing part of the Queen Street site.
Growing the Business: Expanding Over Time
Allan and Stark slowly bought or leased more and more of the buildings next door. This process took 65 years!
- Building 1 (Allotment 8): This building was designed by Andrea Stombuco and built in 1881. It was first used by lawyers. Allan and Stark bought it in 1914. In 1918, two more floors were added.
- Building 2 (Allotment 8A): This building was also built in 1881. It housed a hat shop and a photography studio. Allan and Stark bought it in 1911 and added two more floors that same year.
- Building 3 (Allotment 7): This section was developed in 1918. It was part of the changes made to the building on Allotment 8.
- Building 4 (Allotment 9): This two-storey building was built in 1881. Allan and Stark started leasing it in 1899. A third storey was added in the late 1900s. Allan and Stark finally bought this building in 1925.
- Buildings 5 & 6 (Allotments 9A, 10, 10A, 11): In 1881-82, a three-storey brick building was built here. It was designed by Richard Gailey. It had wide, open spaces inside, which was great for shops. Allan and Stark bought parts of this building in 1901. They leased other parts from 1932 until 1952, when they bought those too.
- The Southern End: Allan and Stark bought the very southern part of the complex in 1965. This building was built in 1885 and also designed by Richard Gailey. It had four main sections, each for a different shop. An extra storey was added between 1918 and 1923.
The Myer Era
In 1970, Myer Queensland Stores Ltd bought all the Allan and Stark properties. They continued to use the complex as a large department store. In 1988, Myer moved to a new, bigger store across the street in the Queen Street Mall.
What the Building Looks Like Today
The former Myer Store is in the middle of Queen Street. It's made up of several brick buildings, three or four storeys tall, that are now joined together. Even though they were once separate, the outside (called the facade) looks like one big building. This is because of the repeated classic design details.
Main Features of the Building's Outside
The main part of the building's facade has arched windows on the upper floors. These arches are separated by simple, flat columns called pilasters.
- On the second floor, the arches are supported by columns with fancy flower-like tops (rosette capitals).
- On the third floor, the arches are supported by pilasters with very decorative tops (Corinthian capitals).
There are also horizontal lines (string courses) and decorative ledges (cornices) that connect the different parts of the building. Some sections of the building rise to a fourth storey with simple rectangular windows. The top edge of the roof (the parapet) used to have a railing and pedestals with vases. Now, it's a solid wall. A covered walkway (cantilevered street awning) stretches along the entire front of the building.
The Special Southern Section
The very southern part of the building looks different and is more decorated.
- On the second floor, the windows are rectangular and separated by pilasters with grooves (fluted pilasters).
- On the third floor, the windows are arched and separated by Corinthian pilasters.
- Above the arches, there are decorative wedge-shaped stones called keystones. The central keystones have the letters "M" and "P" on them. These stand for Manwaring and Paling, who were the original owners of these buildings.
- A noticeable cornice with a row of block-like decorations (dentils) runs across this section.
Inside the Building
The inside of the building has been changed a lot over the years. However, you can still see some of the original parts. These include the roof supports (trusses) and wooden floor beams (joists). Some parts of the ceiling still have old-fashioned pressed metal or plaster designs.
Why is it Heritage-Listed?
The Allan and Stark Building is considered very important. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992. Being "heritage-listed" means it's a special place that needs to be protected because of its history or unique design.
Even though it's part of the Allan and Stark Building, the Manwaring Building (the one that looks different at the end) was also separately listed in 1992. Its "twin" building next door, the Palings Building, also has its own heritage listing!
The Allan and Stark Building was listed because it meets these important reasons:
- It shows how Queensland's history has changed.
* The building helps us understand how Queen Street developed in the 1880s after the old convict barracks were removed.
- It is beautiful and important for its design.
* The building adds to the look of Queen Street. It fits in well with other old buildings from the 1800s and early 1900s because of its size, shape, and style.
- It is connected to important people or groups in Queensland's history.
* The building is important because of its strong connection to the famous Allan and Stark company.
Images for kids
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Allan and Stark drapery store, circa 1910
