La Scala, Fortitude Valley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids La Scala |
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| Location | 517 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1914 - 1919 (World War I) |
| Built | c. 1915 |
| Architect | Thomas Ramsay Hall |
| Official name: La Scala, Craig Athol | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600207 |
| Significant period | 1910s (fabric) 1910s-1970s (historical) |
| Significant components | consulting rooms, roof deck/terrace/promenade, wall/s - retaining, lead light/s, residential accommodation - doctor's house/quarters |
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La Scala is a special old house in Fortitude Valley, Queensland, Australia. It's a three-story timber building found at 517 Brunswick Street. The house was designed by architect Thomas Ramsay Hall and built around 1915. It was first known as Craig Athol. Today, it's recognized for its unique design and history, and is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register.
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The Story of La Scala
This interesting three-story timber house was built in 1914. It was designed for a doctor named Thomas Henry Reeve Mathewson by a talented architect, Thomas Ramsay Hall. Dr. Mathewson named his new home Craig Athol. He used the ground floor as his medical office and lived with his family on the floors above.
In 1923, Dr. Mathewson moved his medical practice to a different street. But he continued to live at Craig Athol. He rented out the ground floor office to another doctor. Over the years, several doctors owned and worked from the house. In the 1970s, the building was changed into separate apartments, also known as flats. The original stables, which were buildings for horses, were taken down. A small addition was also built at the back of the house.
In 1980, a Brisbane architect named Robert Riddel bought the property. He carefully restored the house and gave it a new name: La Scala. The ground floor was made larger in the 1980s. It was used as an architectural office for some years until 1992. Now, the ground floor is divided into three separate rental spaces.
What La Scala Looks Like
La Scala is a three-story building made of timber. It sits on a narrow corner block of land. From the house, you can see Brunswick Street. The roof is covered with terracotta tiles and has decorative finials, which are ornamental tops.
Each of the three levels has a different layout. The ground floor has offices. The two floors above each have a single home. All the levels are connected by a stairwell. The building shows a mix of different design styles in how it uses materials and organizes its spaces.
There is a roof deck above the ground floor that looks out over Brunswick Street. This deck is covered with fibro tiles. The back of the building stands on tall timber stumps. The edges of the building have screens made of wooden battens. The outside walls are covered with weatherboard. A special feature is a bay window stairwell on the north side.
There is a strong retaining wall made of rough concrete and brick along both streets. You can enter the ground floor through stairs built into this wall on the north side. The second and third levels are reached by a timber stair and a porch on the eastern side.
The verandahs on the second and third levels have been closed in with timber screens. They have different types of windows, including louvred, casement, sliding, and hopper windows. The verandahs have solid weatherboard railings. These railings have upside-down semicircular openings with batten infill.
The first and second levels have terracotta tile awnings. These awnings are supported by timber brackets. Two offices were added to the back of the ground level. A bedroom at the back and a bathroom on the side were added to the second level. These additions have corrugated iron skillion roofs, which are single-sloped roofs.
The office entrance area has an outside timber door with glass sidelights (windows next to the door) and a fanlight (a window above the door). Inside, there's another timber door with beautiful leadlight glass in the door, sidelights, and fanlight.
The entrance area for the second level also has decorative leadlight in its sidelights, fanlight, and an oval window. The internal timber stair railing has wide battens. These battens feature a stylish tulip pattern made of fretwork. The bay area has casement windows, which open outwards.
All the main rooms on the first and second levels have decorative plaster ceilings. These ceilings have different designs in each room. The lounge and dining rooms on the second level are separated by a timber screen. They have the most detailed ceilings, with patterns of fruit around the edges.
The inside walls are made of single vertical timber boards. Most windows are casement windows with fanlights above them. French doors open onto the verandahs and the front deck.
Why La Scala is Important
La Scala was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992. This means it's recognized as a very important historical place. It meets several special requirements:
Showing Queensland's History
La Scala is important because it shows new and creative architectural ideas from its time. This includes its large roof deck for outdoor living. It also features open floor plans connected by the stairwell. The building also shows new styles in how it uses decorations and materials.
Its Beautiful Design
La Scala is important for its unusual size and shape. The building and its retaining walls add a lot to the look of Brunswick Street. The beautiful details are also very important. These include the decorative plaster ceilings, the timber batten patterns, the leadlight panels, and the timber work.
Creative and Technical Achievements
La Scala shows a high level of creative and technical skill from the period it was built. It demonstrates new architectural ideas. These include the large roof deck for outdoor living. It also features the open layouts connected by the stairwell. The building also shows new styles in how it uses decorations and materials.
Connection to Important People
La Scala is important because it is a great example of the homes designed by architect TR Hall. His work is significant in Queensland's history.
