Queensland Club facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Queensland Club |
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Queensland Club, 2013
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| Location | 19 George Street, Brisbane City, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s - 1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | 1882 - 1888 |
| Architect | Francis Drummond Greville Stanley |
| Architectural style(s) | Italianate |
| Official name: Queensland Club | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600113 |
| Significant period | 1882-1884, 1888, 1900 (fabric) |
| Significant components | gate - entrance, other - social/community: component, tennis court, trees/plantings, dining room, wall/s - retaining, room/unit/suite |
| Builders | J Smith & Sons |
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The Queensland Club is a very old and important building located at 19 George Street in Brisbane City, Queensland, Australia. It is a "heritage-listed" building, which means it's officially recognized as special and worth protecting.
This grand building was designed by a famous architect named Francis Drummond Greville Stanley. It was built between 1882 and 1888 by a company called J Smith & Sons. The Queensland Club was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992, because of its historical and architectural importance.
Contents
History of the Queensland Club
The main building of the Queensland Club was built between 1882 and 1884. The club itself started in December 1859. This was around the same time that Queensland became its own separate colony in Australia.
Why the Club Was Started
The idea for the club came from a British tradition. These were private clubs where important people in the community could meet. They offered a place to relax and stay for men who shared similar interests and backgrounds. Most members were farmers, politicians, business owners, and other professionals.
Finding a Home for the Club
The club first met in a small place on Mary Street in Brisbane. As more people joined, they needed a bigger space. In 1881, the club bought three blocks of land at the corner of George and Alice Streets. This spot was known as Hodgsons Corner.
The architect chosen to design the new building was FDG Stanley, who was also a member of the club. The location was perfect because it was very close to the government buildings. The club members approved Stanley's plans in March 1882. The building work was done by J Smith and Sons.
Opening the New Building
The new Queensland Club building officially opened in June 1884. It was designed to be a "home away from home" for important men in society.
The building had:
- 41 bedrooms for members
- 8 bathrooms
- A main clubroom
- A dining room
- A billiard room (for playing pool)
- A smoking room
- A visitors' room
- Offices
- Kitchens and rooms for staff
Club Expansions and Changes
In September 1888, the club bought the land next door on Alice Street. They built stables, a laundry, and a bottle house there. However, these buildings were taken down three years later. In their place, a bowling green was created.
The bowling green wasn't used much, so in 1900, it was changed into a tennis court.
Saving the Club Building
In 1973, there was a plan to knock down the Queensland Club to build a modern office block. But a group called the Builders Labourers Federation stepped in. They put a "green ban" on the building. This was a special kind of protest where workers refused to work on projects that would harm important historical places. This action helped save the Queensland Club, along with other historic buildings nearby.
Recent Updates
In 1985, a fire caused some damage to the club. During the repair work, the layout of the bedrooms on the upper floor was changed. There were also some smaller updates done between 1990 and 1991.
What the Queensland Club Looks Like
The Queensland Club is a three-story building made of brick, covered in a smooth finish. It has a style called Italianate, which was popular in the 1800s. It stands on the corner of Alice and George Streets, right across from Parliament House.
Building Shape and Features
The building looks like a wide 'H' shape from above. Its longest side faces Alice Street, and one side faces George Street. The main entrance is in the middle, under a deep porch.
There are balconies on two levels along the front and down the side of each part of the building.
- On the ground floor, these balconies are held up by strong, simple columns.
- On the first floor, they have thinner, more decorative cast iron columns.
- The railings on both levels are made of fancy cast iron.
At the end of each wing, there's a window section that sticks out. These are on the ground and first floors, with an open railing above them. The corners of the building have special stone blocks called quoins. There are also striped pillars on either side of the entrance.
Above the third level, the building has an open wall at the top and large, fancy urns at the corners of each wing. A classic triangular shape, called a pediment, is located above the entrance, topped with a decorative piece.
Inside the Club
The main entrance has a large, half-circle window above the door. The windows on the ground floor slide up and down, while the windows on the first floor are French-lights (which open like doors).
Inside, the entrance hall is very spacious and has a staircase with cast iron railings. The ground floor has large, tall rooms for receiving guests, and a dining room in the northern part of the building. The wooden details inside are made of cedar, and the plasterwork on the walls and ceilings is mostly original and very elegant. The upper floors are where the guest rooms are located.
Outside the Club
Both sides of the building that face the street have a low brick wall with square pillars and cast iron railings. The main entrance on Alice Street has a special arch made of cast iron with a light in the middle and swing gates. Part of the car park on George Street has a wire fence, and a large fig tree grows in the garden at the corner of Alice and George Streets.
Why the Queensland Club is Important
The Queensland Club was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992, because it meets several important rules.
Showing Queensland's History
The club helps us understand how Queensland's history developed. It shows how the British idea of a private "gentlemen's club" was brought to Brisbane society.
A Great Example of Its Kind
The building is a perfect example of a 19th-century club built specifically for exclusive men's groups, following British traditions.
Beautiful to Look At
The Queensland Club is considered very beautiful. It adds a lot to the look of Alice and George Streets, and it fits in well with Parliament House and the Botanic Gardens nearby. People in the community value its beauty.
Connected to Important People
The Queensland Club is also important because of its connection to the famous architect FDG Stanley, who designed it and was a member of the club.
