Corbett and Son Store facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Corbett and Son Store |
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| Location | 446-452 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1900 - 1914 (early 20th century) |
| Built | 1908 |
| Built for | Patrick and Michael Corbett |
| Architect | Robin Dods |
| Official name: Corbett and Son Store (former), Diamonds Dry Cleaners, Isis Restaurant, Peerless Dry Cleaners | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 26 May 2000 |
| Reference no. | 601022 |
| Significant period | 1900s (fabric) 1908-1930s (historical use as grocery store). |
| Significant components | basement / sub-floor, shed/s |
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The Corbett and Son Store is a special old building located in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It's considered a "heritage-listed" site, which means it's an important part of history and needs to be protected.
This building was designed by a famous architect named Robin Dods. It was built in 1908. Over the years, it has been known by other names, like Diamonds Dry Cleaners and Isis Restaurant. It was officially added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 2000 because of its historical importance.
Contents
A Look at the Store's Past
This brick building, with one main floor and a basement, was designed in 1908. It was built for Patrick and Michael Corbett, who were wine merchants and grocers.
How the Store Started
The Corbett family had been running a grocery store in this area since 1885. In 1907, they bought the land where the store now stands. This spot is at the corner of Brunswick and Robertson Streets. The area around Brunswick Street was starting to grow. It was becoming a busy place with both homes and small shops.
In the 1880s, more businesses opened in this part of Fortitude Valley. Patrick Corbett's grocery store at number 450 was one of them. Other shops like music teachers and painters were also nearby.
Fortitude Valley Grows
Even during tough economic times in the 1890s, Fortitude Valley kept developing. Big stores like TC Beirne and James McWhirter helped this growth. The new tram network also made the Valley a central and busy place. By the early 1900s, Fortitude Valley became Brisbane's second most important shopping area. Corbett's store, even though it was a bit outside the main shopping hub, likely benefited from all this activity.
Building the New Store
In 1908, after buying the land, Patrick Corbett and his son Michael built their new brick store. Architect Robin Dods made the most of the sloping corner block. Even though it was only one story, its tall front wall and special brick patterns made it stand out. It looked strong and impressive next to other buildings.
The main entrance was on the corner. Another door on Brunswick Street led to the basement using stairs inside. The shop windows were large, letting in lots of light and air, even to the basement. There was also a separate delivery entrance on Robertson Street.
Robin Dods' Design
The Corbett store is a good example of Robin Dods' commercial work. He was a very talented architect who worked from 1896 to 1916. Dods brought new ideas to architecture in Queensland. He focused on making buildings both beautiful and practical for the local climate. His designs helped create an "architectural revolution" in Brisbane.
Later Years and Changes
In 1914, Michael Corbett took over the business. He ran the store until he passed away in the 1930s. In 1938, a dry cleaning company called Diamonds Pty Ltd leased the shop. Joseph Diamond bought the site in 1947. Diamonds Dry Cleaners stayed there until about 1990.
Later, Peerless Drycleaners and then the current owner took over. Some parts of the building have changed over time. For example, the awning over Brunswick Street was rebuilt. A shed at the back was removed, and a window replaced the old sliding doors on Robertson Street. In recent years, Fortitude Valley has seen many changes. The old grocery store and dry cleaner is now a restaurant on the upper floor, and the basement is used for another business.
What the Store Looks Like
The former Corbett and Son Store is a brick building with one main floor and a basement. It sits on the corner of Brunswick and Robertson Streets in Fortitude Valley. The roof is hidden behind a tall wall at the front. There's an awning that covers the footpath along Brunswick Street and around the corner onto Robertson Street. Because the land slopes, the back of the building looks like it has two stories.
Outside Features
The main entrance is at the rounded corner of the two streets. Above it, there's a fancy shaped top part with special decorations. The main doors are set back a bit, with a marble step and a tiled floor. Above the doors are glass louvre panels.
The shop windows along Brunswick and Robertson Streets are large. They have big glass panes at the bottom and smaller, multi-paned windows above. Panels below the main display windows on Brunswick Street used to be louvres, but they are now covered. Another entrance is at the end of the Brunswick Street side, with a recessed door and tiled floor.
The street awning has a flat front edge and is supported by cast iron columns. Some of these columns are missing now. The underside of the awning has a pressed metal design. This awning has been rebuilt, so some of Robin Dods' original details are gone. The building's bricks are now painted, but they were originally red with white brick bands and cement decorations.
Side and Back Views
On the Robertson Street side, there's a timber-framed awning with a window. This used to be a service entrance with sliding timber doors. A lower entrance at the northern end of Robertson Street leads to the basement.
At the back of the building, there's a basement entrance and timber stairs leading up to the shop level. Tall windows with glass louvres and security bars are at the back corners. The brickwork here shows that there might have been another section at the back in the past. The side also has two small high windows and a window with security bars that lets light into the basement.
Inside the Store
Inside the shop, the ceiling is made of pressed metal, though some parts are damaged. The walls are painted brick, and the floor is timber. The floor near the Brunswick Street windows used to be set back. This allowed light and air to reach the basement. However, this setback area has since been filled in. A small ledge above the display windows shows where screens once stood, creating a backdrop for the displays.
The back corner of the shop has a raised floor section. This allows access from the Robertson Street entrance down to the basement. The basement has a concrete floor and timber posts that support the floor above.
Outside, on the northwest side, there's a concrete slab. The rest of the back area is empty, except for a small shed in the northern corner.
Why It's a Heritage Site
The former Corbett and Son Store was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 2000. This means it meets certain important standards.
- Shows Queensland's History: The building helps us understand how Fortitude Valley grew into a major shopping area in the early 1900s.
- A Great Example of a Corner Store: It's a good example of a corner store, but with a more fancy design. The service lane at the back, which has been used since at least 1907, is also a rare example of how land was used in Brisbane.
- Looks Really Good: The building adds a lot to the look of Brunswick Street. It's an important part of Fortitude Valley's commercial area.
- Connected to an Important Person: Built in 1908, the Corbett & Son store is a great example of the commercial work of architect Robin Dods. He is known as one of the most skilled architects in Queensland's history.
