Queensland Country Life Building facade facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Queensland Country Life Building facade |
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Queensland Country Life Building facade on the front of the Aurora Tower, 2020
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| Location | 424-426 Queen Street, Brisbane City, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s - 1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | 1888 - 1889 |
| Architect | Richard Gailey |
| Architectural style(s) | Italianate |
| Official name: Former Queensland Country Life Building facade, Hill's Buildings | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600158 |
| Significant period | 1888-1889 (fabric) 1889-1991, 1955 (historical) |
| Builders | George Gazzard |
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The Queensland Country Life Building facade is the front part of an old warehouse in Brisbane City, Australia. A facade is like the face of a building. This one is very old and has a special history.
It was designed by an architect named Richard Gailey. The building was put together by George Gazzard between 1888 and 1889. It was once known as Hill's Buildings. Today, this facade is protected as a heritage site. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992.
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A Look Back in Time
The Queensland Country Life Building was built in 1888-1889. It was a big project started by two important Queensland businessmen, Charles Lumley Hill and John Stevenson. They wanted to build four warehouses to rent out. Warehouses are large buildings used for storing goods.
These buildings were called Hill's Buildings. They were in a great spot, right across from the Customs House. They were also close to the wharves (docks) where ships arrived. This location was perfect for businesses like shipping companies and merchants.
Brisbane's Building Boom
The Customs House was built between 1886 and 1889. It replaced an older, smaller building. The location for the Customs House was chosen way back in 1849. This decision helped the area around the Town Reach grow. More wharves and warehouses started to appear nearby.
Brisbane was growing fast in the 1880s. Many important public and business buildings were constructed during this time. The Queensland Country Life Building facade is a great example of this growth.
Who Built It?
In January 1888, architect Richard Gailey started looking for tenants for the new buildings. He promised that no expense would be spared in making them look good and be useful.
In March 1888, Gailey asked builders to bid on the first two warehouses. George Gazzard won the contract for £8,900. Gailey and Gazzard had worked together on many other big projects in Brisbane. These included the Regatta Hotel and the Brisbane Girls Grammar School. In July 1888, Gazzard also won the contract for the other two warehouses for £8,444.
Early Businesses and Changes
The warehouses were finished around 1889. It took a little while to find tenants. One of the first was Taylor, Enoch & Co., who sold boots. By 1892, RL Armour, who imported drapery, also moved in. Other businesses, like William Howard Smith and Sons shipping line, later had offices there. Edward Butler and Sons, who imported saddlery, leased part of the building for many years. They even bought their section in 1948.
Over the years, different groups owned parts of the building. Two important groups were the United Graziers' Association and the Queensland Country Life newspaper. In 1955, Queensland Country Life moved into the ground floor.
In 1973, the northern part of the building was sold and taken down. This made way for a new tall building next door. In 1991, the rest of the building was demolished. But the beautiful front part, the facade, was saved! It stood alone for many years. Later, it was made part of the Aurora Tower, a very tall residential building built from 2003 to 2006.
What Does It Look Like?
The facade you see today has three identical sections, called bays. The fourth section and the rest of the original building were taken down. The facade is very fancy, with lots of decorations. This style is called Victorian Italianate. It uses detailed designs made from brickwork covered in a smooth finish.
The three remaining bays look exactly the same. At street level, most of the original details are gone. But you can still see the large curved shapes, called pediments, above each entrance.
The first and second floors are connected by tall, decorative columns called pilasters. These pilasters hold up a fancy band, called a frieze, and a projecting ledge, called a cornice. The middle pilasters in each section have a pediment that rises above the cornice.
On the top floor, smaller paired pilasters continue the line of the larger ones below. At the very top, the sections are separated by stands, called pedestals, which hold decorative urns. Each section has a semi-circular pediment with the date "A.D. 1888" written on it. A small decoration, called a finial, sits on top, giving the building a striking shape against the sky.
Why Is It Important?
The Queensland Country Life Building facade is officially recognized as a heritage site. This means it's important to Queensland's history and culture. It was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992.
A Piece of History
This facade, built in 1888-1889, is one of the few remaining structures that show what the entrance to Brisbane's old port looked like. It stands across from the Customs House, which was also very important for the port.
As a part of an old commercial warehouse, the facade helps us understand how the Town Reach area of Brisbane grew. It became a busy place for storing and trading goods.
An Architect's Work
The facade is a great example of the work of architect Richard Gailey. His company designed many beautiful commercial buildings in the 1880s. These buildings helped define Brisbane's look as a Victorian-era city for many years.
Beautiful to Look At
The facade adds a lot to the look of the street. It's an important landmark near the corner of Queen and Wharf Street. Its size and style also match the Customs House across the road, making the area look grand and historic.
