Townsville State Government Offices (Flinders Street) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Townsville State Government Offices (Flinders Street) |
|
|---|---|
Townsville State Government Offices, 2005
|
|
| Location | 419 Flinders Street, Townsville CBD, City of Townsville, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1919 - 1930s (interwar period) |
| Built | 1928 |
| Architect | Andrew Baxter Leven |
| Architectural style(s) | Classicism |
| Official name: State Government Offices, Former Public Curator's Office | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 13 January 1995 |
| Reference no. | 601385 |
| Significant period | 1920s (fabric) |
| Builders | Queensland Department of Public Works |
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
The Townsville State Government Offices is an old office building in Townsville CBD, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Andrew Baxter Leven and built in 1928. This building is also known as the former Public Curator's Office. It is considered a special heritage site and was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1995.
Contents
What is the History of the Townsville Offices?
The State Government Offices were built in 1928. The Queensland Department of Public Works constructed them. The main goal was to bring many government offices in Townsville into one central place.
Why Was Townsville Important in the 1920s?
Townsville became a town in 1866. It grew very quickly after gold was found nearby in Ravenswood in 1868. By the 1920s, Townsville was a major city in northern Queensland. Building these offices showed how important Townsville had become. It was one of the first buildings made just for state government departments outside of Brisbane.
Who Designed the Government Offices?
The Queensland Department of Public Works oversaw the building's construction. Andrew Baxter Leven was the chief architect at that time. He worked for the Department from 1910 to 1951. Another person involved in the design was F.L. Jones, also from the Works Department.
The building's style was common for government buildings of that era. Other similar buildings include the Cairns Court House and the Maryborough Government Offices Building.
What Departments Were in the Building?
The offices were designed to hold many different government departments. These included State Insurance, the Public Curator, and the Health Department. Other departments like Titles, Stamp Duties, Lands, and Mines also had offices there. The building was designed to have good lighting and fresh air. There was even space planned for a lift if a third floor was ever added.
What Does the Building Look Like?
The State Government Offices in Townsville is a two-story building made of stone. It also has a basement.
What are the Outside Features?
The outside of the building has a rough granite base. The walls are covered in a smooth cement finish. The main entrance is on Flinders Street. It has a special design above it with a broken triangle shape and a crest. This crest is held up by pairs of square columns. The entrance is in the middle of a two-story covered walkway.
The ground floor has a fancy concrete railing. The upper floor has a simpler iron railing. The corners of the building have large, decorative columns. The top of the building has a deep, flat section with a low wall on top.
What Does the Inside Look Like?
When you enter the main doors, you step into a small entrance hall. From here, marble steps lead into the main hallway. These steps are flanked by two decorative columns.
Why is This Building Heritage Listed?
The State Government Offices were added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1995. This means it is a very important historical place.
Why is it Important to Queensland's History?
This building is one of the first state government offices built outside Brisbane. It shows how important Townsville was as a major regional city in the 1920s. It helps us understand how Queensland's history developed.
What Makes its Design Special?
The Townsville State Government Offices were built in 1928. They are a great example of buildings designed by the Department of Public Works in the 1920s. The design was influenced by classical styles, which means it looks a bit like ancient Greek or Roman buildings.
Why is the Building Beautiful?
The building stands out on the corner of Flinders and Stanley Streets. It adds to the beauty of Flinders Street. Many other buildings on this street are similar in size and style, making the area look very grand.
