Australian Estates Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Australian Estates Building |
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View from the North-East, 1994
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| Location | 182 Quay Street, Rockhampton, Rockhampton Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1840s - 1860s (mid-19th century) |
| Built | 1861 - 1884 |
| Official name: Luck House, Australian Estates Co, Mansfield's Building | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600806 |
| Significant period | 1860s, 1880s (fabric) 1861-ongoing (historical commercial use) |
| Significant components | out building/s |
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The Australian Estates Building is a very old and important building in Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia. It's located on Quay Street, which is a historic area. This building was first built in 1861 and then got a new look in 1884. It's also known as Mansfield's Building or Luck House. Today, it is recognized as a special heritage site.
Contents
Building History
Early Days and Mansfield's Building
The Australian Estates building at 182 Quay Street was first built in 1861. It was the office and store for a general merchant named Percival Douglas Mansfield. He was a very important person in early Rockhampton. He was the first postmaster and the second mayor of the town in 1862.
In the early 1860s, Mansfield advertised his business on Quay Street. But by 1867, he rented out parts of the building to other professionals. These included architects, a lawyer, and a surveyor. In old records from 1868, the building was already called "Mansfield's Building."
When Percival Mansfield passed away in 1869, the building was left to his daughter, Elizabeth Cuthell. However, it wasn't officially transferred to her until 1891. In the 1870s, another company, Walter Reid & Co, had an office on the ground floor. Other important people, like lawyers, also used the upper floor.
The 1884 Makeover
In 1884, the building got a big makeover. The new design for the front of the building was created by John William Wilson. He was a very famous architect in Rockhampton at that time. He designed many buildings in the area from 1864 to the 1890s. His work helped give Rockhampton its unique look.
Wilson designed over 200 buildings in the Central Queensland area. He was one of the busiest and most important architects in Rockhampton.
Rockhampton's Growth and the Building
The Australian Estates building shows two important times in Rockhampton's growth. The Canoona gold rush in 1858 made Rockhampton a major port. It handled minerals and farm products from western Queensland. Quay Street was one of the first areas settled in Rockhampton. It grew into a busy business area because of the wharves across the road.
Quay Street grew very quickly between 1858 and 1882. The building of the Central Western railway from Rockhampton in 1867 also helped. It meant more goods passed through the port. Not many buildings from before 1882 are still standing. The Australian Estates building is a great example of early business development in Rockhampton.
The 1884 changes to the building happened during another boom time. This was because of the Mount Morgan gold rush, which started in 1882. Rockhampton was already well-known, and the port made a lot of money from exporting gold. The wealth from Mount Morgan allowed Rockhampton to rebuild and improve many of its buildings, especially on Quay Street. The new front of the Australian Estates building in 1884 shows this period of growth.
Later, in 1903, the Brisbane to Gladstone railway opened. This meant the port became less important over time. The wharves slowly fell apart, and the area's development became more connected to the city center.
Later Owners
The Cuthell family owned the property until December 1941. Then, the Australian Estates & Mortgage Company bought the building. They had been renting it since 1908. In 1980, the building was bought by Frank Luck Investments. This is why it's also known as Luck House.
What the Building Looks Like
The former Australian Estates building is a two-story brick building. It sits right on the street. The front of the building is covered in painted cement. It has a unique design with separate entrances for each floor.
The upper windows are made of timber and open up and down. They are set into round-shaped openings. The part below each upper window has a cool, round pattern carved into it. The shop windows on the ground floor are made of glass with aluminum frames. The main entrance doors are made of timber with many small glass panes, but these doors are not the original ones.
The roof of the building is hidden from the street by a decorative top section called a pediment. A large vent is at the back of the building. You might also see metal rods on the front, which were added to help keep the building strong. An awning has been added across the front of the building.
The side of the building facing southeast is also covered in cement but isn't painted. The other two sides are made of brick that has been painted over. The windows on these sides are original from the 1860s. They are timber windows that open up and down, with six glass panes in each section. Some of the upper windows now have air conditioners.
Inside, on the ground floor, most of the original walls have been removed. New glass partitions have been put in to create a different layout. False ceilings have also been added because of the air conditioning. This hides the original ceilings.
You can reach the upper floor by a narrow set of stairs inside the building. The stairs lead to an L-shaped hallway. There are six rooms on the upper level. Some of these rooms still have their original timber ceilings. The floors are either wooden boards or covered with vinyl. Some original decorative trims around doors and floors are still there.
At the back of the building, there are two smaller, newer additions. These are for toilets. One is two stories and made of brick, and the other is smaller and made of concrete blocks. There's also a timber staircase at the back that goes up to the second floor.
There is also a separate building on the property. It's covered in cement and has small awning-style windows. This building was built much later than the main Australian Estates building.
Why It's a Heritage Site
The former Australian Estates building was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992. This means it's recognized as a very important historical place.
- It shows how Queensland's history developed.
The building, built in 1861 and changed in 1884, is part of the historic Quay Street area. This area is famous for its old business buildings from the late 1800s. Quay Street and the Port of Rockhampton were very important for central Queensland from 1858 onwards. The port helped make Rockhampton the main business city in the region. The busy river wharves led to many businesses opening along Quay Street. The strong, solid buildings showed Rockhampton's wealth, especially after the Mount Morgan gold rush in the 1880s. This building is one of the oldest still standing on Quay Street.
- It has important aesthetic (beauty) value.
The Australian Estates building looks great and helps keep the historic feel of Quay Street. It adds to the continuous look and character of the riverside area from the late 1800s.
- It has a special connection to the community.
The Australian Estates building is special to the people of Rockhampton. Its beauty and history make Quay Street a symbol of Rockhampton. It is closely linked to the city's image.
