Customs House, Brisbane facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Customs House, Brisbane |
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Old Customs House, Brisbane at dusk
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| Location | 427 Queen Street, Brisbane City, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s - 1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | 1886 - 1889 |
| Built for | Government of Queensland |
| Architect | Charles H McLay of the Queensland Colonial Architect's Office |
| Architectural style(s) | Victorian Free Classical |
| Official name: Brisbane Customs House (former) | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 7 February 2005 |
| Reference no. | 600156 |
| Significant period | 1880s (fabric) 1880s-1980s (historical) |
| Significant components | dome, toilet block/earth closet/water closet, trees/plantings, wall/s - retaining, steps/stairway |
| Builders | John Petrie & Son |
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The Customs House in Brisbane is a very old and important building. It is located at 427 Queen Street in the city centre of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. A customs house is a place where taxes, called duty, are collected on goods brought into a country.
This grand building was designed by Charles H McLay and built between 1886 and 1889. It cost a lot of money back then, about £38,346. The building was officially opened in 1889. At that time, Queensland was still a British colony. The Customs House helped collect money for the government from imported products. This was very important because Queensland didn't make many things itself back then.
Brisbane was made a port city in 1846, meaning ships could officially bring goods there. In 1908, after Australia became a country (Federation), the federal government took over the building. Today, you can easily visit the Customs House using the CityCat ferry or the Free Loop Bus.
Contents
History of the Customs House
The Brisbane Customs House stands at the northern end of the Town Reach of the Brisbane River. It was built between 1886 and 1889. The design came from Charles McLay, who worked for the Queensland Colonial Architect's Office.
Why a New Customs House?
The new building replaced a much smaller customs house on the same spot. This location was chosen in 1849. It was picked after a lot of talk about the best place for a customs house. At first, most shipping happened further south on the river. But putting the customs house here helped new wharves and businesses grow along this part of the river. The small building from 1850 soon became too small. Brisbane was growing fast as Queensland's main port and business centre.
In 1884, the Queensland Government decided to build a bigger, better customs house. Charles McLay's design was chosen in March 1886. Construction started in September of that year.
Who Built It?
Charles McLay was a top designer for the colonial architect. He also designed other important buildings like the Bundaberg Post Office. The Brisbane Customs House was his biggest and most impressive design.
The building contract went to John Petrie & Son. They were a well-known building company in Brisbane. The work was supposed to take 30 months. But there were problems getting materials, like stone for the foundations. The plans were also changed a bit. So, the building took longer than expected. It finally opened on 2 September 1889. They also built retaining walls, fences, and stairs down to the river.
What it Looked Like
The finished building was in the Victorian Free Classical style. It had fancy gables and a huge colonnade (a row of columns). The designs on the gables showed early versions of Queensland's coat of arms. The iron balustrade on the balconies had the initials "VR" for Victoria Regina. This was in honour of Queen Victoria, who was the queen at the time. Inside, a lot of red cedar wood was used for desks, counters, and a grand staircase.
The Brisbane Customs House was built during a time when Queensland was doing very well economically. Many other impressive public buildings were built in Brisbane during the 1880s. People were very proud of the new customs house. A local newspaper, the Brisbane Courier, wrote about its "handsome and imposing appearance" in 1889. They said it would "become one of the features of the city."
Changes Over Time
In 1891, more buildings like stables and fences were added. Gardens and a driveway were also created by the mid-1890s. The large fig tree you see there today was probably planted around this time. In 1895, the basement flooded with over 2 metres of water during the 1893 Brisbane River floods.
When Australia became a country (Federation), the Customs House was given to the Australian Government by 1908. In 1906, the original flat roof was changed to a new hipped roof. The inside of the main public room, called the Long Room, was changed in 1911 and 1919.
Major changes happened in 1947. Most of the inside walls were removed. The wooden floors were replaced with concrete. The beautiful cedar staircase was taken out and a new one was put in a different spot. The roof was also replaced again, and the chimneys were removed.
New Life for the Building
In the mid-1980s, the Australian Customs Department moved out. The building was no longer needed for customs because the main port moved to the mouth of the Brisbane River. So, it closed in April 1988 and stayed empty for a few years.
Then, the University of Queensland leased the building. They spent A$7.5 million to fix it up between 1991 and 1994. During this work, some of the original inside walls were put back. The beautiful timber staircase was also rebuilt.
Today, the Customs House is a busy place. It has a restaurant and is used for special events. There's also an art gallery on the lower floor. The Long Room, where customs business used to happen, is now used for lectures and dinners.
The Tower Dispute
In 2015, there was news that a very tall building would be built next to the Customs House. Many people were worried it would be too close. They feared it would block the sun and harm the old fig tree. The University of Queensland even went to court to stop the project. They said the new tower would be too close to the Customs House.
The university lost the court case in 2016. However, in November 2016, they reached an agreement with the tower's designers. The tower's shape was changed to protect the views. They also agreed to reduce parking and limit how the fig tree could be trimmed.
What the Customs House Looks Like
The Customs House is a famous Brisbane landmark. It is known for its unique copper dome. The building was finished in three years and cost £38,346. Its location was chosen to help develop the wharves in the Petrie Bight area. The lower floor used to be a secure warehouse. Goods that hadn't cleared customs were stored there.
Key Features
The building's design includes a shield between an emu and a kangaroo on its front. This was before Australia had its official coat of arms. An iron balustrade was brought from England. It has the initials "VR" for Victoria Regina to honour Queen Victoria. Inside, you can see black and white marble and beautiful cedar wood fittings.
The Brisbane Customs House is a large, two-storey building made of brick with a smooth, rendered finish. It is built in a classical style. Its location by the Brisbane River makes it stand out. The big copper dome at the northern end is a main feature. You can see it from Queen Street and from the river. The building's design shows it was meant to be seen from both the city and the river.
Inside the Building
The main part of the building is made of brick on a stone foundation. The columns, pilasters (flat columns), and balusters (small pillars) on the colonnade are made of Murphy's Creek sandstone. There are cast iron balustrades on the balconies and outside stairs. The main roof is made of corrugated iron. The wooden window and door frames on the outside are still mostly original.
The outside of the building looks very much like it did originally. The main changes are the roof, which was replaced in the 1940s. The original chimneys were also removed.
The inside of the building has changed more over time. This is because of updates when it was a customs house. Also, the recent refurbishment changed some parts. However, it also brought back some of its 19th-century look. The original timber staircase was rebuilt.
The most impressive room inside is the Long Room, which is under the dome. It has fancy columns and a patterned ceiling. In the basement, some of the original walls with arched openings are still there. The old sandstone retaining wall from 1890-91 goes around the property. It includes a wrought iron balustrade, stone pillars, stairs, and rooms for old toilets near the river. There is also a small garden with a mature fig tree. These add to the building's beautiful riverside setting.
Gallery
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Customs House, Brisbane, around 1906
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Customs House lit up for the Duke of York's visit in 1901
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Customs House from the Brisbane River
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Street view looking south
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Inside the Customs House, set up for a wedding
Heritage Importance
The former Brisbane Customs House was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 7 February 2005. This means it is a very important historical site.
Why it's Important
- Shows Queensland's History: The Customs House was used for almost 100 years. It shows how important the customs service was to Queensland and Australia. Its location also shows how Brisbane became a major port city. It was built during a time when Queensland was growing fast.
- Shows What Customs Houses Are Like: This building is a great example of a late 19th-century customs house. It has the grand design, the Long Room, the secure storage area, and offices. It also shows the excellent work of its architect, Charles McLay, and the builder, John Petrie.
- Looks Beautiful: The Customs House is a very well-designed building from the Victorian era. It uses its location well, with entrances from both the city and the river. Its copper dome and columns make it a striking part of the city's view.
- Special to the Community: The Customs House is a landmark for Brisbane. It reminds people of when the Port of Brisbane was in the city centre before it moved.
- Connected to Important Work: It has a strong link to the Australian Customs Service. This service used the building for nearly a century.
