Rowes Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rowes Building |
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Rothwells Building (left) and Rowes Building (right, arched entrance), 2021
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| Location | 235 Edward Street, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s - 1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | 1885 - 1926 |
| Architectural style(s) | Classicism |
| Official name: Rowes Building | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600095 |
| Significant period | 1885, 1925-1926 (fabric) |
| Builders | W Macfarlane |
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The Rowes Building is a historic office building in Brisbane, Australia. It is located at 235 Edward Street, Brisbane. People also know it as Rowes Arcade. This building was constructed between 1885 and 1926 by W Macfarlane. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992. The building is on an L-shaped piece of land. This land has entrances on both Edward Street and Adelaide Street, Brisbane.
Contents
A Look Back: The Building's Story
The Rowes Building was built in 1885. It was constructed at the same time as the Rothwells Building next door. These buildings were made for their owners, Thomas MacDonald-Paterson and John Forsyth. MacDonald-Paterson was a lawyer and also a member of parliament. This means he helped make laws for the state.
The buildings cost £13,000 to build. W. Macfarlane was the main builder. The ground floor was planned for offices. The other floors could be used for offices or for storing goods. MacDonald-Paterson used an office in his part of the building. He rented out the rest of the space.
Rowes Cafe and Big Changes
In 1903, William Effy rented parts of the building. His mother, Minna Rowe, had a very popular business called Rowes Cafe on Queen Street, Brisbane. William continued the cafe at this new location. By 1909, the ground floor dining room could seat 380 people!
Effy bought the building in 1914. In 1925, he hired architects Hall and Prentice to design big changes. These changes cost a lot of money, £162,000. The plan included buying a place called the City Garage. A large ballroom for Rowes was built over this garage. They also added more space facing Adelaide Street.
The old Adelaide Street building was taken down. A new six-story building was put up. The ground floor of this new part had a shopping area. This area was called Rowes Arcade. It also had a way to get to Rowes Cafe. The upper floors were made into offices. The whole building complex became T-shaped. Its main entrance was still on Edward Street. But it became much deeper, about 300 feet long. More changes were made to the Edward Street side in late 1926.
In 1958, part of the cafe became a shopping arcade. More shops were added in 1961. Later, the building was owned by National Mutual Life Association of Australasia. In 1984, the Rowes and Rothwells buildings were updated again.
What the Building Looks Like
The Rowes Building is a five-story building made of stone. It also has a basement. The front of the building has a classic design. This style was popular for business buildings in the late 1800s. Most of the fancy decorations are made from plaster.
The lower floors have wide, arched doorways. These are next to wide columns. Columns are tall, round supports. These columns have fancy tops called capitals. The windows on the upper floors also have arches above them. These arches have special wedge-shaped stones called keystones. Columns with fancy tops separate these windows.
At the very top of the building, there is a decorative ledge called a cornice. It is held up by brackets. In the middle, there is a small triangle shape called a pediment. The name "ROWES" is written on it. The shops on the ground floor have been updated. An old balcony on the first floor was removed. The side of the building that faces a narrow path is simpler. It has round-headed windows in a brick wall.
Inside, on the top floor, you can see the wooden beams that support the roof. These are called trusses. There are also French doors with colorful glass designs. These doors used to open onto the first-floor balcony. The Rowes Building looks very similar to the Rothwells Building next door.
Why Rowes Building is Special
The Rowes Building is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. This means it is an important historical place. It was added to the list on October 21, 1992. It meets several important rules to be on this list.
- It shows how Queensland's history has changed.
The Rowes Building is a great example of a business building from the 1880s. It has a very detailed and fancy front.
- It shows what a certain type of old building looks like.
The Rowes Building clearly shows the main features of a commercial building from the 1880s. Its detailed front is a key part of this.
- It is beautiful and important for its looks.
Many people think the Rowes Building is very beautiful. It has a lovely, classic design on its front. Its shape, materials, and size make Edward Street look much better.
