TC Beirne Department Store facts for kids
The TC Beirne Department Store is an old building in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It used to be a big shop. It was designed by an architect named Robin Dods and first built in 1902. Over the years, it was made bigger until 1938. Other architects, Hennessey & Hennessey, also worked on its design. This building is important because of its history and design, so it's listed on the Queensland Heritage Register.
Quick facts for kids TC Beirne Department Store |
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Former TC Beirne Department Store, 2000
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| Location | 28 Duncan Street, Fortitude Valley, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1900 - 1914 (early 20th century) |
| Built | 1902 - 1938 |
| Built for | Thomas Charles Beirne |
| Architect | Robin Dods, Hennessey & Hennessey |
| Official name: TC Beirne Complex and Fortuneland Centre | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 12 December 2003 |
| Reference no. | 601395 |
| Significant period | 1900s-1930s (fabric) 1902-1956 (historical ownership by TC Beirne) |
| Significant components | tower |
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Contents
A Look Back: The Store's History
The TC Beirne Department Store was built for a man named Thomas Charles Beirne. The first part was finished in 1902. Robin Dods was the architect. The building grew bigger over time. More sections were added in 1906, 1910, and 1913. These were also designed by Dods.
Around 1931, more big additions were made. Architects Hennessey & Hennessey worked on these. In 1938, the store got another 30,000 square feet of space. This made it much larger. In 1956, the building was sold to David Jones. It has changed owners a few times since then.
Who Was Thomas Charles Beirne?
Thomas Charles Beirne was born in Ireland in 1860. He started learning about selling fabric when he was 14. In 1884, he moved to Melbourne, Australia. He worked in shops there. Later, he started a business with a partner in South Brisbane.
By 1891, Thomas Beirne started his own shop. He used £1200 he had saved. His first store was in Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley. It was a small shop with six staff members. Thomas and his wife, Ann, lived above the shop.
How the Store Grew
Thomas Beirne's shop was very popular right away. Soon, he expanded into two more shops next door. In 1897, he bought the buildings he was renting. He then made them into one big store. By 1900, his business was known as one of the "most popular shopping places in the city."
The TC Beirne & Co. store kept growing for many years. It eventually had a very long front along Brunswick Street. It also had large sections along Duncan Street and Ann Street. The main shopping areas were on Brunswick Street. The warehouse parts were along Duncan and Ann Streets.
In 1902, Robin Dods designed the main part of the building we see today. More warehouse space was added in 1906. Other major additions happened in 1910 and 1913. These also followed Dods' designs. The work in 1913 added a new floor and updated the Brunswick Street section.
Later, around 1931, Hennessey & Hennessey added even more to the building. In 1938, another large section was built. This new part used strong materials like steel and concrete. It included a five-story building on Brunswick Street. It also added four stories on the Duncan Street side.
Beyond Brisbane
The TC Beirne & Co. store was so successful that it opened branches in other cities. These included Ipswich and Mackay. Robin Dods designed the buildings for these branches too. The company also had a popular mail-order service. This meant people in far-off places could also buy from TC Beirne.
Thomas Charles Beirne was also important in Brisbane's community. He was involved in many groups and businesses. He helped found the TC Beirne School of Law at the University of Queensland with a large donation. He also gave money to hospitals and churches. In 1929, he received a special award from the Pope.
Thomas Charles Beirne passed away in 1949. Seven years later, in 1956, the Fortitude Valley store was sold to David Jones. The building was sold again in 1973. Today, the TC Beirne building has shops and offices on the lower floors. The upper floors have apartments. The old warehouse, now called Fortuneland Centre, also has shops and apartments.
What the Building Looks Like
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The TC Beirne Department Store is a very noticeable building. It stands out on Brunswick Street and Duncan Street. The part that used to be the main shop is now called the TC Beirne Centre. It faces Brunswick Street. The old warehouse part is now the Fortuneland Centre. It faces Duncan Street, which is now Chinatown.
The TC Beirne Centre
The Brunswick Street side of the building has four floors. It is made of painted stone. Each floor has 13 windows. These windows are arranged in tall sections between flat columns, called pilasters. The windows on the first floor have rounded tops. They also have special arched covers that stick out.
The second and third floor windows are pairs of rectangular windows. They have fancy designs below and around them. The windows on the second floor have triangular tops. At the top of each column, there is a shamrock design. Above this, there is a decorative border.
Above the border, the columns continue upwards. They form a decorative top section called a parapet. This section has circles with the letters "TCB" (Thomas Charles Beirne) in them. The building has large arched tops, called pediments. There used to be two, but a third was added when the building was made bigger. The main entrance and shop fronts on the ground floor are modern.
Inside, much of the building has been changed. There is now a shopping area on the ground floor. It goes all the way through to Duncan Street. The upper floors have modern offices and apartments. In the middle of the building, there is an old skylight area. This lets light into the building.
The Duncan Street part of the building has five floors. It is made of painted brick. Most windows have rounded tops. However, on the eastern side, some windows are round and some are square. The building has bold, stepped gables at the top, called Dutch gables. The brick top section has a stepped shape with rounded tops and circular vents.
Modern changes include a wide entrance and a glass tunnel. This tunnel connects the building to others across Duncan Street. The shop fronts are now modern glass and metal. However, some of the old metal posts that hold up the street awning are still there.
The Queensland Government plans to open a "Start-Up Precinct" here. This will be a place for new businesses to grow. It is expected to open in October 2016.
Fortuneland Centre
The Fortuneland Centre used to be the warehouse. It is made of painted brick. Its main side faces Duncan Street, next to the main store. This building has four floors and a low brick tower. It looks similar to the tower on the TC Beirne section.
The upper floors have large windows with rounded tops. The windows on the Duncan Street side are the original wooden ones. Those on the Ann Street side have modern metal frames. The top floor has many small-paned windows. The back of the building faces a small lane. It has modern windows and small metal balconies.
The ground floor of the Fortuneland Centre has 12 shops and restaurants. They have modern glass and metal shop fronts. Some of the original metal posts that support the street awning are still there. The upper floors of the old warehouse have been changed into apartments. The basement is now a car park.
Why It's a Heritage Site
The TC Beirne Department Store was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 12 December 2003. This means it is an important historical place.
- Shows Queensland's History: The building shows how Fortitude Valley grew. It was a major shopping area in the late 1800s and early 1900s. This continued for many years after World War II.
- Looks Good: The TC Beirne Department Store is a beautiful building. It stands out and adds to the look of Brunswick Street and Duncan Street (Chinatown).
- Linked to Important People and Groups: The building is connected to the TC Beirne company. This company was very important in developing department stores in the early 1900s. It is also linked to its founder, Thomas Charles Beirne, and the architect, Robin Dods.
