Rees R & Sydney Jones Building facts for kids

Rees R & Sydney Jones Building
Building in 1996
Location	178 Quay Street, Rockhampton, Rockhampton Region, Queensland, Australia
Design period	1870s - 1890s (late 19th century)
Built	c. 1886 - 1960s
Queensland Heritage Register
Official name: Callianiotis Constructions, Rees R & Sydney Jones
Type	state heritage (built)
Designated	21 October 1992
Reference no.	600804
Significant period	1880s (fabric) c. 1886-1976 (historical use as legal offices)
Significant components	safe
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The Rees R & Sydney Jones Building is a historic office building located at 178 Quay Street in Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia. It was built around 1886. This building is an important part of Rockhampton's history, showing how the city grew in the late 1800s. It is also known as Callianiotis Constructions. This building should not be confused with another building at 186 Quay Street, which was also used by Rees R & Sydney Jones. The building was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992.

A Look Back: The Building's Story

The single-story brick building at 178 Quay Street was built for a lawyer named Rees Rutland Jones around 1886. This building helped create the look of Quay Street in the 19th century. It also shows how much Rockhampton grew in the late 1800s. This growth happened because of busy trade at the port and the success of the Mount Morgan gold mines.

The Rees R and Sydney Jones Law Firm

The law firm Rees R and Sydney Jones started in 1864. It was founded by Rees Rutland Jones. Today, it is the oldest law firm still operating in Queensland. Rees Rutland Jones became a very well-known lawyer and public figure in Central Queensland. He was a member of the Rockhampton Municipal Council, which is like a local government. He also represented Rockhampton North in the Queensland Legislative Assembly, which is the state parliament. He was the lawyer for the Mount Morgan Mining Company and the town's lawyer from 1871 to 1896. When he passed away, Rees R Jones was the oldest lawyer on the list of the Supreme Court of Queensland.

First office building of Rees R and Sydney Jones in Rockhampton, circa 1875

Before this building was constructed in 1886, Rees Rutland Jones had worked from three different places. On July 24, 1886, Rees R and Sydney Jones bought the land on Quay Street, which had been empty. The building was put up in the same year that the Mount Morgan gold mines became very successful. Its construction showed the building boom happening in Rockhampton during the 1880s. The building was in a great spot, very close to the wharves and other main businesses along Quay Street. Rockhampton had been the main port in central Queensland since 1858. It handled farm products and minerals from the western areas. The location of the wharves across from Quay Street helped the area become a busy business center.

Changes Over Time

Rees R and Sydney Jones made their offices bigger in 1966-67 because they had more staff. But in 1975, they decided to move their business. They moved to the old Queensland National Bank building at the corner of Quay and Denham Streets.

In 1976, a company called Central Queensland Salt Industries bought this building. Then, in June 1990, it was sold to Callianiotis Constructions. In December 2015, the building was available for rent.

What the Building Looks Like

The Rees R and Sydney Jones Building is right on Quay Street. It takes up almost the whole plot of land. It is next to the C J Edwards Chambers on one side and Cattle House on the other.

The building is a single-story brick structure that is long and narrow. It has an original front section with a hip roof and a long extension at the back with a gable roof. The front of the building is covered in cement. It has strong decorative features like quoin work at the corners and around the main entrance. The original window and door frames have been replaced with modern aluminum ones. Both windows have decorative frames. A deep cornice (a decorative molding) with dentils (small block-like decorations) runs across the entire width of the building. A simple wall, called a parapet, hides the roof from the street.

Inside the original part of the building, there is a central tiled hallway. This hallway leads to three small carpeted offices on each side. Most of the walls that divide the rooms are original. Much of the timber around the doors and windows is also original. The ceiling in this section is a suspended acoustic ceiling. It is about 600 millimeters below the original ceiling. The original brick wall at the back is now painted, and old window openings have been closed up. An original brick-lined, arched safe is still there.

A large single-story addition is attached to the back of the original building. This part is made of brick with a steel frame and has a concrete floor.

Why This Building is Important

The former Rees R and Sydney Jones Building was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992. This means it is recognized as an important historical place.

Showing Queensland's History

This building, built in 1886, is part of the historic Quay Street area. This area is known for its commercial buildings from the late 1800s. The Quay Street area shows the importance of the Port of Rockhampton, which served central Queensland starting in 1858. The port helped make Rockhampton the main business city of central Queensland. The river wharves led to many businesses being built along Quay Street, making it the city's main business district. The strong, solid buildings showed Rockhampton's wealth, especially from the Mount Morgan gold rush of the 1880s. They also showed how confident people were about Rockhampton's future.

Beautiful Design

The building has important aesthetic value. This means it is beautiful and adds to the continuous look and feel of the late 19th-century riverside area.

Special Connection to the Community

The building also has a special connection to the people of Rockhampton. Its historical importance and beautiful design contribute to Quay Street. For many, Quay Street is a symbol of Rockhampton and is closely linked to the city's image.

Linked to Important People

The well-known Rockhampton law firm, Rees R and Sydney Jones, has a long history with this building. They were its first owners and used it for 90 years.

Images for kids

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  Building in 1996

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  First office building of Rees R and Sydney Jones in Rockhampton, circa 1875