Australian Mercantile Land & Finance Woolstores facts for kids

Australian Mercantile Land & Finance Woolstores
Australian Mercantile Land & Finance Woolstores, 2009
Location	34 Vernon Terrace, Teneriffe, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Built	1912, 1922
Built for	Australian Mercantile Land & Finance
Architect	Robin Dods of Hall and Dods
Queensland Heritage Register
Official name: Australian Mercantile Land & Finance Woolstores
Type	state heritage (built)
Designated	21 October 1992
Reference no.	600327
Significant period	1912-c. 1922 (fabric) 1912-1980s (historical use)
Builders	Walls & Juster
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The Australian Mercantile Land & Finance Woolstores are historic buildings in Teneriffe, Brisbane, Australia. They used to be large warehouses where wool was stored and sold. Today, these buildings have been turned into modern apartments.

These woolstores were designed by a famous architect named Robin Dods. The first building was finished in 1912. A second one was added in 1922. Because of their history and design, they were added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

A Look Back in Time

The company that owned these buildings was called Australian Mercantile Land & Finance (AML&F). It was an English-Australian company that started in 1863. By 1910, AML&F had offices in big cities like London, Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

The company bought land in Teneriffe to build their woolstores. They hired the well-known architect Robin Dods and builders Walls & Juster. The first woolstore was built in 1912. This was a busy time for the wool industry. The original plans included a second store. This second building was added around 1922. It helped handle the even bigger wool trade of the 1920s.

In 1980, the property was sold to Pacific Fire Protection Pty Ltd. They used parts of the building for storage and rented out other areas. Later, in 1986, the Brisbane City Council suggested turning the buildings into a wool exhibition or tourist center. However, in 2004, a company bought the buildings. They renovated them to create 89 apartments.

What Do the Buildings Look Like?

The building in 1913

The original Australian Mercantile Land & Finance Co. Ltd Woolstore is a four-story building. It is made of brick and timber. It was designed to hold about 14,000 bales of wool. The building's design has three main parts: a base, a middle section, and a top section.

The building has many rows of windows. These windows are separated by strong, vertical brick sections called piers. These piers are made of cream-colored bricks. Every fourth row, there is a darker band of bricks. The window areas also have patterned bricks. The windows have twelve panes and a slightly curved top. They are special because they can pivot, or turn, to let in lots of light and fresh air.

At the very top, there is a fancy molded edge called a cornice. Above this is a simple brick wall that hides the roof. The company's name is written in big letters on this wall. A straight metal roof hangs over the railway siding and loading areas. This roof is supported by iron rods. It highlights the bottom part of the building facing Vernon Terrace.

Around the corner on Ethel Street, you'll find the main entrance. It has a rounded porch with an arch. Further down Ethel Street, there are decorative brick gateposts. These lead to more loading areas and a two-story woolstore at the back. This back building looks similar to the main one. A walkway connects the two buildings above the street.

The top floor was the showroom. It has a special "sawtooth" roof. This roof is designed with many peaks and valleys. It faces east to west to get the best natural light. This large space has roof vents and wooden lining. It is supported by steel posts. The top floor also has its original refreshment and dressing rooms. The building also has unique stairs with carved newel posts.

Why Is It a Heritage Site?

The Australian Mercantile Land & Finance Woolstores were listed on the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992. This means they are very important to Queensland's history and culture. Here's why:

• It shows how Queensland's history has changed.

These two woolstores are very important. They show how the wool industry grew and changed over time. They also show how technology and selling methods changed. The buildings also tell us about the history of the Brisbane River's docks and the company itself.

• It shows what a woolstore should look like.

These buildings are great examples of brick and timber woolstores. Many like them were built in Australian ports, including Teneriffe, for the wool trade. The building facing Vernon Terrace is the second oldest woolstore still standing in Teneriffe. It shows how these industrial buildings looked when they were first built.

• It looks beautiful.

This woolstore also looks very impressive. It has a beautiful design from the Federation era (early 1900s). Its location by the river makes it even more striking.

• It shows great design and building skill.

The architect, Robin S. Dods, did a wonderful job. He combined usefulness with style in the AML&F building. This is important because many of his other commercial buildings are no longer standing.

• It is important to the community.

The AML&F woolstores are a valued part of the area. They remind people of the pastoral (farming) history of Queensland. They are also a well-known landmark along the river. This is why they were included in the Teneriffe Development Plan.