Australian Estates No. 1 Store facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Australian Estates No.1 Store |
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Australian Estates No. 1 Store, 2010
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| Location | 50 Macquarie Street, Teneriffe, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1919–1930s (interwar period) |
| Built | c. 1926 – 1927 |
| Architect | Montague Stanley |
| Architectural style(s) | Italianate |
| Official name: Australian Estates No.1 Store | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600321 |
| Significant period | 1920s (fabric) 1927–1978 (historical use) |
| Builders | Stuart Brothers (Sydney) |
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The Australian Estates No.1 Store is a historic building in Teneriffe, Brisbane, Australia. It used to be a very large warehouse for storing wool. Today, it has been transformed into modern apartments known as the Saratoga Woolstore Apartments.
This important building was designed by architect Montague Stanley. It was built by Stuart Brothers (Sydney) between 1926 and 1927. Because of its history and unique design, it was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.
History of the Wool Store
The land where the Australian Estates No.1 wool store stands has a long history. Part of it was first bought in 1847 by Captain John Clements Wickham. Over the years, the property was owned by several important companies. These included the Brisbane Stevedoring & Wool Dumping Co. Ltd and Moreheads Ltd.
In 1961, the Australian Estates company bought this part of the land. Another section of the land was bought by the Financial Guarantee & Agency Co. in 1888. By 1926, the Australian Estate & Mortgage Co. owned this part.
The building itself was designed by Montague Talbot Stanley. He was a well-known architect and engineer in Queensland. The construction work was done by the Stuart Bros from Sydney.
When the wool store officially opened in 1927, it was a big event. The Duke and Duchess of York were there to open it. At the time, this wool store had the largest showroom in Australia. It could display an amazing 24,000 bales of wool!
Because of its huge size, it was chosen for another important event. In 1934, a special ball was held there for the Duke of Gloucester. Later, in 1978, the property was bought by Service Nominees (Qld) Pty Ltd. It was then leased to Chevron Discount Furnishers for storing and showing furniture.
The building later became part of a larger furniture complex. This complex included the nearby Elder Smith Woolstore and the Australian Estates No. 2 Store. In 2003, the building was converted into the Saratoga Apartments, giving it a new life.
What the Building Looks Like
The Australian Estates No.1 Woolstore is very large, with about 4.5 acres (1.8 hectares) of floor space. It is the biggest single wool store in the Teneriffe area. It is a three-storey building made of brick and timber. It was built during the time between the two World Wars.
The building has a classic design with three main parts: a base, a middle section, and a top. Its red brick columns and groups of three windows make it look tall. However, the strong horizontal lines above and below the upper floors also stand out.
You can see a decorative top section with the company name and "erected 1926" written on it. A clear line separates the upper floors from the ground floor. The ground floor has large openings and columns. These create a covered area for the railway line and loading bays.
A curved entrance porch and balcony stick out from one corner, making the building look less angular. Like other wool stores in Teneriffe, the ground floor has a concrete floor. The upper floors use timber posts, beams, and wooden floors.
The roof is made of corrugated asbestos and reinforced glass. To build this huge store, a lot of digging was done. A 64-foot (19.5-meter) high concrete retaining wall was also built. Instead of a rear awning for trucks, there is a tunnel running through the building. This tunnel reduces the ground floor area by about 20,000 square feet (1,800 square metres).
Inside the main entrance, there is an elevator and wooden stairs to reach the other floors. The second floor used to have offices and facilities for clients. The showroom on the top floor has special vents under the windows. It also has a unique sawtooth roof. This roof is supported by metal columns and is angled from east to west for the best natural light.
The building had a complete fire alarm system from the very beginning. This helped keep it safe. There are also walkways on Level 2 that connect this building to the Australian Estates No. 2 Store and the Elder Smith Woolstore nearby.
Why It's a Heritage Site
The Australian Estates No.1 Store was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992. This means it is considered very important for several reasons:
- It shows how Queensland's history developed.
This wool store is very important for understanding the history of Queensland's wool industry. It shows how wool was handled and sold since the 1920s. It also tells us about the history of the Brisbane River's wharves and the big pastoral companies.
- It shows what a typical wool store was like.
This building is a great example of the brick and timber wool stores built in Australian ports. It helps us understand how these buildings were designed and used. Along with other wool stores like Mactaggarts Woolstore and Elder Smith Woolstore, it shows how the wool industry worked in the 1920s.
- It has great aesthetic appeal.
This building, built between the World Wars, looks impressive. It has a strong shape, a clear design, and beautiful details from the Renaissance style. The decorative top, the columns at the front, and the covered railway siding all add to its visual appeal.
- It shows high creative or technical skill.
The special mix of function and style in this building was created by Montague Talbot Stanley. He was a skilled architect who also designed the nearby Elder Smith Woolstore.
- It has a special connection to the community.
This wool store is a valued part of the community and a landmark along the river. It has links to important pastoral companies and even royal visits. Its importance has been recognized by including it in the Teneriffe Development Plan.
