Britannia Foundry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Britannia Foundry |
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Britannia Foundry, 2015
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| Location | 210 Alice Street, Brisbane City, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s – 1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | c. 1887 |
| Official name: Public Works Depot, Britannia Foundry, Smellie & Co Warehouse | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600068 |
| Significant period | 1880s (fabric) 1880s–1940s (historical) |
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The Britannia Foundry is a historic building in Brisbane City, Queensland, Australia. It was once a place where metal was melted and shaped, called a foundry. The building is located at 210 Alice Street.
It was built around 1887. Over time, it has also been known as the Smellie & Co Warehouse and the Public Works Depot. This important building was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992. This means it is protected because of its special history and design.
Contents
The Story of Britannia Foundry
How the Foundry Started
This building was constructed around 1887. It was built for a company called Harvey Sargeant & Co. This company started in 1880. They were part of Queensland's early heavy engineering industry.
They made many things from iron. This included parts for buildings, machinery for making bricks, and farm equipment. Harvey Sargeant & Co. supplied much of the ironwork for the big building boom in Brisbane during the 1880s.
Moving to Alice Street
In 1885, the company bought land on Alice Street. They built the Britannia Foundry there around 1887. Alice Street was a popular spot for foundries. Other foundries nearby included Smellie & Co and Smith, Forrester & Co.
Changes Over Time
In 1892, Harvey Sargeant & Co. faced financial problems. However, a new company was quickly formed to keep the foundry running. In 1903, the business moved to a different location on Alice Street.
The company stayed in this area until 1966. Then, it moved to Sherwood. It was known as ANI-Sargeant for many years. The company even celebrated its 100th birthday in 1981!
New Owners and Uses
In 1909, the building was bought by Smellie & Co. This company imported machines and farm tools. They used the Britannia Foundry building as a warehouse. Smellie & Co. owned other buildings nearby on Alice and Edward Streets.
In 1945, Smellie & Co. sold the building to the Queensland Government. The Department of Public Works used it as a workshop. Later, they used it for storage. Today, the building has been sold again. It is now used as modern commercial offices.
What the Building Looks Like
Outside the Building
The Britannia Foundry is a two-storey building. It is made of brick. The front of the building, called the facade, is covered in a smooth finish. The roof is made of corrugated iron.
The front of the building has rounded windows on both floors. There are eight windows on the top floor. On the ground floor, there are three windows on each side of a large central archway. This archway was once used for carriages. All the arched openings have decorative frames and sills. They also have special carved stones at the top, called keystones. One opening on the ground floor has been changed into a doorway.
A decorative column, called a pilaster, runs down the northern side of the building. It has a special pattern that looks like worm tracks, called vermiculated quoins. A decorative band, or frieze, and a dentilled cornice run across the top of the building. Above these are two simple triangular shapes, called pediments. They have scroll-like supports, or brackets, on each side.
Inside the Building
The back of the building once had a round opening and four rectangular ones. These have all been closed up. A metal fire escape staircase and glass doors have been added to the side of the building that faces the yard.
The inside of the building has been changed over the years. However, you can still see parts of its original design. Some old cast-iron columns are still there on the ground floor at the front. These columns have special supports built into them. On the top floor, you can see the wooden trusses that support the two gable roofs.
Why Britannia Foundry is Important
The Britannia Foundry was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992. This means it is considered very important for several reasons:
- It shows Queensland's history: The building helps us understand how Queensland's heavy engineering and foundry industries grew. These were very important activities in the Alice Street area in the past.
- It's a great example of its kind: The building is a good example of an industrial building from the 1880s. It still looks much like it did when it was built, especially its fancy front.
- It adds to the beauty of the street: The building looks great on Alice Street. It stands alongside other historic buildings like Old Mineral House, making the streetscape special.
