Goldsbrough Mort Woolstore facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Goldsbrough Mort Woolstore |
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Goldsbrough Mort & Co Wool Store, 2010
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| Location | 88 Macquarie Street, Teneriffe, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1919 - 1930s (interwar period) |
| Built | c. 1933 |
| Built for | Goldsbrough Mort & Co |
| Official name: Goldsbrough Mort Woolstore | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600323 |
| Significant period | 1930s (fabric) c. 1933-1980s (historical use) |
| Builders | Stuart Brothers (Sydney) |
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The Goldsbrough Mort Woolstore is an old warehouse in Teneriffe, Brisbane, Australia. It was built around 1933 by Stuart Brothers (Sydney). This building is important because it is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register.
A Look Back in Time
Early Days of the Land
The land where the woolstore stands was first bought in 1854 by James Gibbon. He was an important local person who invested in land. Later, he became a member of the Queensland government. Over the years, other companies owned the land. These included the Financial Guarantee & Agency Co. of Queensland Ltd and the Brisbane Stevedoring & Wool Dumping Co. Ltd.
Goldsbrough Mort Arrives
Goldsbrough Mort & Co was a very successful company that dealt with farming and livestock. It started in 1888. They opened their first office in Queensland in Rockhampton. Then, in the early 1910s, they opened an office in Brisbane.
In 1922, Goldsbrough Mort bought this property in Teneriffe. It was about 1.75 acres (0.7 hectares). Around 1933, the Stuart Brothers built this woolstore. It was the first building on this spot. They built it when wool prices were good and many people needed jobs after the Great Depression.
Beeston Street, which is between the Goldsbrough Mort and Elder Smith stores, was built in 1927. It was named after Joseph Beeston. He was a long-time company secretary for Dath Henderson & Co. Ltd.
Later Owners and Uses
In 1963, a company called Elders bought the property. Then, in 1984, Oxlade Investments bought it. Elders leased the whole building in 1985. They used the ground floor for offices and a store for farm supplies. The third floor was used for sorting wool.
Today, the ground floor offices are used by a furniture store. Part of the first floor is rented for storing office records. The Brisbane City Council has plans for the Teneriffe area. These plans say the property can be used for homes or shops.
What the Woolstore Looks Like
The Goldsbrough Mort & Co. Ltd No 2 woolstore has four floors. It is made of brick and timber. The front of the building looks balanced and has simple decorations. One end of the building is built into the steep hillside.
This building was made during the Interwar period (between World War I and World War II). The middle part of the building is set back a bit. On each side, there are parts that stick out slightly. Like other old woolstores, it has three main parts: a base, a middle section, and a top section.
Details of the Design
The parts of the building that stick out at the front have red brick pillars. They also have three windows grouped together. This makes the building look tall. However, the strong lines above and below the upper floors make it look wide.
There is a strong decorative ledge (cornice) at the top. Above this, there are brick bands and a smooth band (frieze). This frieze shows the company name and the year it was built. It also has carved merino sheep heads.
The very top of the building has a strong wall (parapet). It has curved, pointed shapes (pediments) and flagpoles above the sticking-out parts. The upper floors are separate from the ground floor by a straight metal roof (awning). This awning is held up by iron rods. It covers the railway track and loading areas.
Inside the Building
The main entrance is at the southern end, near Beeston Street. There is also another fancy entrance in the front. It has Greek-style columns and steps. These lead through large doors to the office areas.
The walls and supports get thinner as you go up the building. This is because the upper floors hold less weight. The ground floor has a concrete floor. The first two floors have strong timber posts and beams for storing wool bales.
The third floor uses steel posts. The top floor has steel ties to support the roof. This allows for a wide space of 30 meters (about 98 feet) with only one row of steel columns in the middle. The showroom on the top floor has square vents with wooden slats under the windows. It also has a special sawtooth roof. This roof is angled from east to west to let in the most natural light.
Why It's a Heritage Site
The Goldsbrough Mort Woolstore was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992. This means it is an important historical building.
Showing Queensland's History
This woolstore is very important for understanding Queensland's history. It shows how the wool industry developed since the 1930s. It also shows the history of trade along the Brisbane River.
A Unique Building
This woolstore is special because it shows how industrial buildings were made in the 1930s. This type of wool processing is not done anymore. It is also the only Goldsbrough Mort woolstore left in Queensland.
A Great Example of Its Kind
This building is a great example of a brick and timber woolstore. These types of buildings were built in Australian ports, like Teneriffe, to support the wool industry.
Beautiful Design
The woolstore also looks very impressive. Its large size and attractive design from the Interwar period make it stand out. The balanced design of its front sections is especially nice.
Important to the Community
This woolstore has strong links to farming and business history. It is a valued building and a local landmark. Its importance has been recognized by being included in the Teneriffe Development Plan.
