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 really old and important building located at 427 Queen Street. It was designed by Charles H McLay and built a long time ago, between 1886 and 1889. Imagine, it cost £38,346 back then!
This building was first used to collect special taxes, called customs duty, on things brought into Queensland when it was still a British colony. It opened in 1889 and replaced an even older customs house. Today, it's a special heritage-listed building, recognized on the Queensland Heritage Register since 2005.
Collecting customs duty was super important for Queensland because it helped the government earn money. This was especially true since there weren't many factories here yet. Brisbane became a port city in 1846, meaning ships could officially bring goods in and out. In 1908, after Australia became a country, the federal government took over the building.
You can easily visit the Customs House today! It's close to the CityCat ferry service and the Free Loop Bus.
Contents
History of the Customs House
The Brisbane Customs House was built at the northern end of the Brisbane River's Town Reach, near Petrie Bight. Construction happened between 1886 and 1889. The design came from Charles McLay, who worked for the Queensland Colonial Architect's Office.
Why a New Building Was Needed
The 1880s building replaced a much smaller customs house that was already on the same spot. This location was chosen way back in 1849. This was after Moreton Bay was declared a port of entry in 1846. There was 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 docks grow along this part of the river. A small building was put up for customs in 1850. Over the next few decades, Brisbane grew into Queensland's main business and port city. The small building just wasn't big enough anymore.
Designing and Building the Customs House
In 1884, the Queensland Government decided it was time for a brand new customs house. In March 1886, Charles McLay's design was chosen from many ideas. McLay finished the detailed plans in May 1886, and building started in September that year.
Charles McLay was a very important designer for the colonial architect's office. He designed several notable buildings. The Brisbane Customs House was his biggest and most impressive project.
The building contract went to John Petrie & Son, a well-known Brisbane company. They offered to build it for £37,342. The work was supposed to take 30 months. However, there were delays getting materials, especially stone for the foundations. Some changes were also made to the original plans.
Because of these issues, the building took longer than expected. It finally opened on September 2, 1889. Along with the main building, retaining walls, fences, a double staircase down to the river, and nearby toilets were also built.
What the Building Looked Like
The finished building was in a style called Victorian Free Classical. It had fancy triangular sections called pediments and huge colonnades (rows of columns). The large copper dome on top was built by William Smith Henderson.
The triangular sections featured special heraldic scenes. These were like early versions of the official Queensland coat of arms, which wasn't created until 1893. The curved iron balustrade (railing) on the balconies even had the royal cypher "VR" for Queen Victoria woven into the metal. Inside, beautiful 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 impressive public and business buildings were constructed in Brisbane during the 1880s. People were very proud of the new customs house. A local newspaper, the Brisbane Courier, said it had a "handsome and imposing appearance." They predicted it would "become one of the features of the city."
Changes Over Time
In 1891, more stables, retaining walls, fences, and toilets were added. By the mid-1890s, gardens and a driveway were created. The large fig tree you see there today might have been planted around this time. In 1895, the basement flooded with 7 feet of water during the 1893 Brisbane River floods, requiring repairs.
When Australia became a federation, the Brisbane Customs House was given to the Australian Government by December 1908. It was valued at £80,804 then.
In 1906, the original flat roof was replaced with a new hipped roof. The main public room, called the Long Room, had its counters and walls rearranged in 1911 and again in 1919. Many small repairs and cleaning jobs happened over the years.
In 1947, big changes were made inside. Most of the inner brick walls were removed. The wooden floors were replaced with concrete. The beautiful cedar staircase was taken out, and a new terrazzo one was put in a different spot. Extra floors were added in the Long Room, and the roof was replaced again, this time without the original chimneys. In 1978, parts of the outside were cleaned and painted.
A New Purpose for the Building
In the mid-1980s, the Australian Customs Department moved out of the building. The Customs House was no longer needed because the main port facilities moved to the Port of Brisbane at the mouth of the river. So, the building closed in April 1988 and stayed empty for a few years.
Then, the University of Queensland leased the building. The university spent A$7.5 million to fix it up between 1991 and 1994. During this time, some of the inner walls that were removed in 1947 were put back. The original wooden staircase was also rebuilt. Some newer additions from the 1940s were removed, but some good quality office cabinets from that time were kept.
Today, the Customs House has a restaurant and is used for events. There are also regular concerts and an art gallery on the lower floor. The Long Room, where customs business used to happen, is now used for lectures and dinners.
Protecting the Customs House Views
In 2015, there was a plan to build a very tall 47-storey tower right next to the Customs House. People were worried it would block the sun and views, and might even harm the old fig tree. The University of Queensland challenged the plan in court. They argued the tower was too close, much closer than the city's rules allowed.
However, the university lost its court case in July 2016. In November 2016, the university and the tower designers reached an agreement. They decided to change the tower's shape to protect views, reduce outdoor parking, and set rules for how the fig tree could be trimmed.
What the Customs House Looks Like
The Customs House is a famous Brisbane landmark, especially known for its unique copper dome. The building was designed by Charles McLay. Even though Australia didn't have its own coat of arms yet, the building's front features a shield with an emu and a kangaroo. An iron balustrade (railing) was shipped from England. It had the royal cypher "VR" for "Victoria Regina" (Queen Victoria) on it. Inside, you can see black and white marble with beautiful cedar wood details.
The Brisbane Customs House is at the northern end of Queen Street, right next to the Brisbane River. It's a grand, two-storey building made of brick covered in plaster, built in a classical style. Its location is very special because it's so close to the river and on a bend in Queen Street. This means you can see it from many different places.
The large copper dome at the curved northern end is a key feature. It stands out when you look down Queen Street or from the river. The building's design shows its original purpose. It has two main entrances, one from the city and one from the river. This was perfect for its location between the town and the water.
Other parts of the Customs House also show its original use. Like many customs houses from the late 1800s in Australia, it has an impressive brick facade (front). It also has a grand public space (the former Long Room), a secure storage area (the former Queens Warehouse, now an art gallery), offices, and a secure fence. The Brisbane Customs House is a well-designed example of a Victorian building. It uses its great location to offer access from both the town and the river.
The main part of the building is brick on a stone foundation. The columns, pilasters (flat columns), and balusters (small posts) are made of Murphy's Creek sandstone. There are cast iron railings on the recessed verandahs and outside stairs. The main roof is covered with corrugated iron. The original wooden window and door frames are still mostly there on the outside.
The outside of the building is very well preserved. The main changes are that the original roof was replaced in the 1940s. Also, the chimneys were removed, and the northwestern end of the balconies was made wider in the 1940s.
The inside of the building has changed more. This is because of alterations made when it was a customs house and during its recent refurbishment. The refurbishment removed many 1940s changes but brought back parts of its 1800s look. This included rebuilding the original wooden staircase.
The most impressive space inside is the Long Room, which is under the dome. It has fluted Corinthian pilasters (decorated columns) and a patterned ceiling with a glass section in the middle. In the basement, some of the original walls with arched openings are still there. The sandstone retaining wall from 1890–91 goes around the whole property. It includes a wrought iron railing, stone pillars, stairs, and rooms for the old underground toilets by the river. There's also a small garden with a mature fig tree, which adds to the building's riverside charm.
Gallery
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Customs House, Brisbane, ca. 1906
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Customs House illuminated for the Duke of York's visit to Brisbane in 1901
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Customs House from the Brisbane River
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Street view looking south
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Interior of Customs House, Brisbane set up for a wedding reception
Why the Customs House is Special
The former Brisbane Customs House was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on February 7, 2005. This means it's recognized as a very important historical place.
A Look into Queensland's Past
The Customs House was used for almost 100 years. It shows how important the customs service was to Queensland and Australia. Its location also tells us about Brisbane becoming a port city and how the wharves along the Brisbane River grew. This building was part of a big construction boom in Brisbane during the 1880s. It helps us understand a key part of Queensland's history.
A Great Example of Its Kind
This building is a fantastic example of a late 19th-century brick customs house. It has all the main features you'd expect: a grand design, special rooms like the Long Room and Bond Store, offices, and a secure fence. It's a great example of Charles McLay's work and the skill of the builder, John Petrie.
Beautiful Design and Location
The Brisbane Customs House is a beautiful and cleverly designed Victorian building. It uses its important location perfectly, allowing access from both the town and the river. Its size, shape, and materials work together wonderfully. With its copper dome and two-storey columns, it makes a striking and important addition to the city's look. Being right on the riverbank also makes it even more beautiful, offering amazing views from the water.
Important to the Community
This place is very important to the people of Brisbane. It's a famous landmark and one of the few remaining reminders of the Port of Brisbane before it moved to the mouth of the river.
Connected to Important Work
It has a special connection to the Australian Customs Service, which used the building for nearly a century.
