Misplaced Pages

#159840

79-428: Customs House is a heritage-listed customs house at 427 Queen Street, Brisbane CBD , Brisbane , Queensland , Australia. It was designed by Charles H McLay and built from 1886 to 1889 at a cost of £38,346 by John Petrie & Son . It was originally used for the collection of customs duty and was opened in 1889, when Queensland was a British colony, replacing the original Customs House located at Petrie Bight . It

158-419: A coat of arms at the time, the building features a depiction on its facade of a shield between an emu and kangaroo. An iron balustrade was shipped from England with the royal cypher VR for "Victoria Regina" wrought on it in honour of Queen Victoria . Inside the structure features black and white marble with cedar fittings. The Brisbane Customs House, located at the northern end of Queen Street and beside

237-527: A port of entry in 1846 and after considerable discussion as to the most suitable location for a customs house. At the time shipping activity was centred on the South Brisbane Reach and the decision to locate a customs house at the northern end of the Town Reach acted as an impetus for the development of wharves along this part of the river. A small building was erected for customs purposes in 1850 and in

316-518: A 25 metres (82 ft) setback. However, the university lost its court case in July 2016. In November 2016, the university reached agreement with the tower's designers to alter the tower's profile to preserve views, reduce external car parking and restrictions on the pruning of the fig tree. Construction was finished in three years at a cost of £38,346. The downstream end of the Brisbane central business district

395-543: A century. It is important historically as an expression of the importance of the customs service to Queensland and to Australia and for its site, which relates to the establishment of Brisbane as a port of entry and the development of major wharfage along the Town Reach of the Brisbane River and Petrie's Bight. The Brisbane Customs House was built during a period of economic prosperity and a construction "boom" in Queensland and

474-646: A decision was made to repurpose the Treasury Building and the Lands Administration Building as the Treasury Casino and its associated Treasury Hotel (not to be confused with earlier heritage-listed Treasury Hotel ). Following a conservation project which commenced in 1993, the casino and hotel opened on 19 April 1995. On Sunday 25 August 2024, the Treasury Casino closed in anticipation of

553-729: A focus for celebratory and patriotic displays. In 1901, the proclamation of the Federation of Australia was read by the Governor of Queensland Baron Lamington from a balcony on the William Street elevation. Owing to the construction around the turn of the century of new offices for the Department of Agriculture and the Executive Building ( Land Administration Building ), which provided additional Queensland Government accommodation, work on

632-425: A price of £ 37,342. The contract time was 30 months but because of difficulties with the supply of some materials, especially stone for the foundations, and alterations to the original plans, the building took longer than anticipated to complete and it was opened on 2 September 1889. Retaining walls, fencing, a double staircase down to the river and nearby earth closets were also constructed. The completed building in

711-535: A secure bonded warehouse (the former Queens Warehouse, now converted to an art gallery), offices and a secure boundary fence. The Brisbane Customs House is a well proportioned and skilfully designed example of a Victorian building in the Renaissance mode executed to take best advantage of its dominant site and solve the practical problems of dual access from the town and from the river. It has considerable unity in its scale, form and use of materials. The main structure of

790-472: A special association with authority, government and administration in Queensland since 1825. [REDACTED] This Misplaced Pages article incorporates text from "The Queensland heritage register" published by the State of Queensland under CC-BY 3.0 AU licence (accessed on 7 July 2014, archived on 8 October 2014). The geo-coordinates were computed from the "Queensland heritage register boundaries" published by

869-458: A strong and special association with the role and prestige of government, being a popular symbol of accountable self-government in Queensland for over a century, and an integral member of the most prominent, important and cohesive group of government buildings in Queensland. The place has a special association with the life or work of a particular person, group or organisation of importance in Queensland's history. Both site and building have had

SECTION 10

#1732856186160

948-405: A well proportioned and skilfully designed Victorian building in the Renaissance mode, executed to take best advantage of its dominant site and solve the practical problems of dual access from the town and from the river. It has considerable unity in its scale, form and use of materials. With its copper dome and two storey colonnade it makes an imposing and important contribution the streetscape and to

1027-418: Is important because of its aesthetic significance. The building is important in exhibiting particular aesthetic characteristics valued by the community, and by architectural historians in particular, namely the accomplished design, detailing, materials and workmanship and its landmark quality and townscape contribution, particularly in relation to the adjacent buildings and sites and to the river. The place

1106-428: Is important in demonstrating a high degree of creative or technical achievement at a particular period. The Treasury Building is important in demonstrating a high degree of creative achievement, being a major work by foremost Australian architect JJ Clark. The place has a strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group for social, cultural or spiritual reasons. The Treasury Building has

1185-448: Is possible without encountering the public. A contemporary 1920s interior was achieved in the third phase of the building by infilling between loadbearing columns with semi-demountable partitions. These partitions consist of a timber stud frame with asbestos cement panelling below head height and patterned glass above. The exterior of the building is highly intact while the interior has had only minor modifications. The courtyard at

1264-472: Is set to open in 2027, in time for the 2032 Summer Olympic Games . The Treasury Building, a four-storeyed masonry perimeter block, occupies an entire city block bounded by Queen, George, Elizabeth and William Streets. It forms the northern edge of the group of important public buildings surrounding Queens Gardens . These include the Lands Administration Building to the southeast of the park,

1343-401: Is very intact except for the loss of the original roof, which was replaced by the present steel trussed roof in the 1940s, the removal of chimneys and the widening of the northwestern end of the balconies in the 1940s. The interior fabric is less intact due to the alterations and additions carried out during its use as a customs house and to the most recent refurbishment, which removed much of

1422-597: The Brisbane River and returned a short distance down Elizabeth and Queen Streets, was completed by mid-1885, and site preparation followed immediately. Tenders for the main contract were called in April 1886, and Sydney builders Phippard Bros & Co. were successful with a contract price of £94,697/10/-. The principal architect on site was Thomas Pye , who resigned from the colonial architect's office in February 1887 to supervise

1501-600: The Family Services Building to the northeast, and on the southwestern edge, between the gardens and the Brisbane River, the Old State Library and the North Quay porphyry wall . Like the Treasury Building, the gardens, neighbouring buildings and wall are all heritage-listed. The view of the William Street facade from the river, although interrupted by South-East Freeway , is enhanced by the elevated position of

1580-858: The George Gustav Heye Center ) presently houses a branch of the National Museum of the American Indian , the former U.S. Custom House in New Orleans, Louisiana , is now home to the Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium , the former U.S. Custom House in San Francisco, California , now houses offices of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Social Security Administration and the former U.S. Custom House in Baltimore, Maryland ,

1659-711: The New Public Offices , is a heritage-listed former public administration building located at 21 Queen Street in Brisbane , Queensland , Australia. It was built from 1886 to 1928 for the Queensland Government . On 21 October 1992 the Italian Renaissance building was added to the Queensland Heritage Register . The building is located at North Quay , near the northern end of Victoria Bridge . Although officially fronting on Queen Street,

SECTION 20

#1732856186160

1738-408: The State of Queensland under CC-BY 3.0 AU licence (accessed on 7 July 2014, archived on 8 October 2014). The geo-coordinates were computed from the "Queensland heritage register boundaries" published by the State of Queensland under CC-BY 3.0 AU licence (accessed on 5 September 2014, archived on 15 October 2014). Customs house Due to advances in electronic information systems,

1817-470: The Victorian Free Classical style incorporated pedimented gables and a massive colonnade . The copper-sheathed dome was constructed by sub-contracted coppersmith and brass founder, William Smith Henderson, of Perry Street, Petries' Bight. Heraldic scenes in the pediments were precursors to the official Queensland coat of arms , which was not granted until 1893. A curved iron balustrade to

1896-508: The balconies included the royal cypher of the reigning sovereign, Queen Victoria , in the cast. Red cedar was used extensively for desks, counters, cabinets and tables as well as for a massive and elegant staircase. The Brisbane Customs House was built during a period of economic prosperity and a construction "boom" in Queensland and was amongst the more impressive of a number of notable public and commercial buildings erected in Brisbane during

1975-626: The 1880s, which included the first stage of the Treasury Building (1886-1889). Public pride in the new customs house was considerable. On 7 September 1889, a few days after the building was opened for business, the local Brisbane Courier newspaper drew attention to "the handsome and imposing appearance, especially as seen from the river or from Petrie's Bight" and predicted that the Brisbane Customs House with its tall columns, pilasters and large copper-sheathed dome would "become one of

2054-413: The 1880s. The physical intactness of the building, particularly in the interior spaces, demonstrates the working of Queensland executive and administration government in the late nineteenth century. The place demonstrates rare, uncommon or endangered aspects of Queensland's cultural heritage. As an intact late nineteenth century building, whose continuity of design has been preserved over three stages,

2133-525: The 1940s fabric but recovered aspects of the 19th century form, including reconstruction of the original timber staircase. Inside the building the most imposing space is that of the Long Room beneath the dome. Fluted Corinthian pilasters of painted plaster are below the coffered ceiling of the dome, which has a central glazed section. In the basement some of the original walls with arched openings remain. The 1890-91 Moggill sandstone retaining wall carries around

2212-410: The 1940s fit out were removed except for some good quality intact 1940s office cabinetry which survived and part of the 1940s main stair which provided access to the basement. Two of the 1940s galleries added to the Long Room were removed and one, at the southwest end, retained and adapted. Timber window and door joinery was conserved and plaster mouldings reconstructed where they were missing. Following

2291-563: The Brisbane River at the northern end of the Town Reach , is an imposing two-storeyed rendered brick building in the classical style. The site is prominent due to the proximity to the river, the bend in Queen Street and the general topography which opens up many views to and from the building. A prominent feature is the large copper dome at the semi-circular northern end which is a focal point viewed from both directions along Queen Street and from

2370-551: The Free Loop Bus. The Brisbane Customs House was erected at the northern end of the Town Reach of the Brisbane River , near Petrie's Bight , between 1886 and 1889 to a design prepared by Charles McLay of the Queensland Colonial Architect's Office . The 1880s building replaced an earlier and much smaller customs house on the site. The location had been chosen in 1849 following the declaration of Moreton Bay as

2449-402: The Long Room was carried out in 1911 and again in 1919. Frequently minor repairs, cleaning and maintenance work was carried out to the interior of the building in succeeding decades. In 1947 major internal alterations were undertaken: all but two of the internal masonry walls were demolished; the timber floors were replaced by concrete slabs; the cedar staircase was removed and a new terrazzo one

Customs House, Brisbane - Misplaced Pages Continue

2528-650: The Premier's Department moved into the Executive Building (subsequently known as the Lands Administration Building ) in George Street. Stage two, which completed the Elizabeth Street section and continued two-thirds of the way along the George Street frontage, was commenced almost immediately. The documentation and working drawings were prepared by Thomas Pye, re-employed by the colonial architect's office to supervise

2607-400: The Queen Street facade where a wide flight of stairs leading to three sets of timber-framed glass double doors in arched doorways gives access to a foyer on the ground floor level. The foyer has a coffered plaster ceiling and strongly patterned floor. A pair of Ionic columns opposite the entrance frame the central flight of the symmetrically designed grand staircase. This staircase, part of

2686-549: The Registrar-General, Treasury and Engineer of Harbours. In 1874, a single-storeyed building for the Registrar-General was erected on the corner of George and Queen Streets, anticipating a government re development of what had become known as Treasury Square. In 1883, the Queensland Government decided to construct new public offices on Treasury Square. A design competition, for a two-storeyed perimeter block to occupy

2765-426: The Treasury Building demonstrates a rare aspect of Queensland's cultural heritage. The place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a particular class of cultural places. The Treasury Building is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of Italian Renaissance style in late nineteenth century Australian public buildings, and is an outstanding example of its type. The place

2844-417: The Treasury Building's connection with these principal government departments. The annex was demolished in 1987, in anticipation of a major government refurbishment of the site. From 1989 to 1993, the Registrar-General has remained the sole occupant of the Treasury Building (an occupancy of 100 years), but it continued to be the best known and identifiable government office building in Queensland. In 1992,

2923-545: The basement during the 1893 Brisbane River floods . As a consequence of the Federation of Australia, the Brisbane Customs House, valued at £ 80,804 ( £ 40,804 for the structure and £ 40,000 for the site), was transferred to the Australian Government by December 1908. In 1906 the inadequacies of the original flat roof were overcome by the installation of a new hipped roof . Rearrangement of counters and partitions in

3002-410: The building is of brick on a stone foundation . The columns , pilasters , balusters to the colonnade , the parapet and side entrances are of Murphy's Creek sandstone. There are cast iron balustrades on the recessed verandahs and external stairs . The main roof is clad with corrugated iron. Timber window and door joinery survives reasonably intact on the exterior walls. The exterior of the building

3081-651: The building occupies an entire city block surrounded by Queen Street, George Street , Elizabeth Street and William Street . The Elizabeth Street frontage is opposite the Queens Gardens . In the 1890s and early 1900s the imposing Treasury Building served as a symbol of self-government and as a focus for celebratory and patriotic displays. From 1995 to 2024 the building was occupied by the Treasury Casino and owned by Star Entertainment Group . In September 2024, Griffith University announced that they would be purchasing

3160-452: The building on some elevations surmounted by a wrought iron fence. The first and second phases of construction employ a fire protection system in parts of the building. Vaulted coke concrete floors are supported on concrete encased wrought iron joists and bearers. Beams are supported at walls by engaged piers or on freestanding concrete encased cast iron columns . Steel roller shutters slide down to protect openings. The structure of

3239-436: The building to use as a new inner-city teaching campus . The Treasury Building was erected in three stages between 1886 and 1928. The site at the junction of the George Street and Queen Street had been reserved for government purposes from 1825. It was occupied initially by convict-built officers' quarters and a two-storey military barracks. In 1864 the military moved from the site and the existing buildings were occupied by

Customs House, Brisbane - Misplaced Pages Continue

3318-466: The centre of the building was roofed over for the conversion. Since 1995, the refurbished building has housed the Conrad Treasury Casino, contrasting the once political orientation of the building to one full of entertainment. It is home to two bars, five restaurants, and eight function rooms. Treasury Building was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992 having satisfied

3397-456: The centre of this wing on the piano nobile , is distinguished by a more embellished plaster ceiling and elaborate carved cedar panels over the doorways. Ministers' suites, located in the corner pavilions, and rooms associated with the Cabinet overlook the street. These rooms have french doors opening onto arcades and connecting doors and private corridors so that circulation between ministerial spaces

3476-662: The construction as a Phippard Bros employee. When completed in September 1889, the new centre of government administration in Queensland was occupied by the Premier , Colonial Secretary, Registrar-General (in a purpose-built fire-proof section at the corner of William and Elizabeth Streets), Treasury, Mines, Works, Police and Auditor-General. It was home to the Cabinet and frequently to the Executive Council from late 1889 to 1905. In 1905

3555-528: The courtyard on every level. Rooms facing the courtyard have french doors opening onto these balconies. Two wings containing toilets and washrooms project into the courtyard space. The building has restrained rendered and painted interiors that feature cedar joinery and ornamental plasterwork . The level of ornateness varies according to the importance of the room. Rooms in the William Street wing have decorative cast-iron wall ventilators, marble fireplaces and plaster ceiling roses . The Cabinet room, positioned in

3634-413: The design which in all other details replicated stage one. Later in 1893 the courtyard was landscaped with a grass oval surrounded by a gravel carriageway, border planting, and trees. The site then consisted of stages one and two of the Treasury Building, and the 1874 office of the Registrar-General. In the 1890s and early 1900s the imposing Treasury Building served as a symbol of self-government and as

3713-444: The entire square, was won by Melbourne architects Grainger and D'Ebro , but their design was never used. The newly appointed Queensland colonial architect , John James Clark , argued that the site warranted a four-storeyed complex, to be erected in stages as government accommodation was required. Clark's own neo-Italianate design, entered in the competition prior to his appointment as Queensland colonial architect in September 1883,

3792-404: The features of the city". In 1891 stables, additional retaining walls and fencing, and more earth closets were erected at a cost of £ 446. By the mid-1890s gardens and a driveway had been developed. The mature fig tree now at the site was possibly planted about this time. Minor repairs were carried out throughout the 1890s, including some work in 1895 after 7 feet (2.1 m) of water inundated

3871-468: The following criteria. The place is important in demonstrating the evolution or pattern of Queensland's history. The Treasury Building is important in demonstrating the evolution and pattern of Queensland's history being a visual expression of Queensland aspiration and pride in the rapid progress of the colony since 1859. The building is prominent physical evidence of Queensland's rapid economic growth and associated government confidence and enterprise in

3950-573: The following decades became increasingly inadequate as Brisbane emerged as the principal commercial centre and port of Queensland. In 1884 the Queensland Government decided to construct a new customs house. In March 1886 a design by Charles McLay was selected from many proposals in the Colonial Architect's Office for a new Brisbane Customs House. McLay completed the specification in May 1886 and construction commenced in September that year. Charles McLay

4029-440: The grand staircase, stairwells are top lit by delicate timber framed glass lanterns. All staircases feature timber handrails , ornamental cast iron balustrades and stair landings that are contrasted with the treads by the use of bold geometric patterning. Some of the original staircases have been removed. Rooms open off the hallways on both sides and are lit either from the street or via the courtyard. Cast-iron balconies run around

SECTION 50

#1732856186160

4108-518: The imposing form; general arrangement of spaces to include Long Room, Bond Store and offices; and secure fencing. It is a fine example of the work of architect Charles McLay and a good example of one of a series of customs houses designed in the Queensland Colonial Architect's office and of the work of contractor John Petrie. The place is important because of its aesthetic significance. The Brisbane Customs House has aesthetic value as

4187-460: The increased volume of international trade, and the introduction of air travel, the term "custom house" became a historical anachronism. There are many examples of buildings around the world that were formerly used as custom houses but have since been converted for other uses, such as museums or civic buildings. As examples, the former Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House in Manhattan, New York , (now

4266-529: The inner walls of the arcade. These brick walls are finished with lined and unpainted render imitating ashlar. Each phase of construction has used a different type of sandstone. A colour difference is discernible between the Highfields stone used for the first phase of construction, and the Helidon sandstones used for the later stages. The external walls sit on a porphyry plinth . A matching porphyry dwarf wall adjoins

4345-501: The mouth of the Brisbane River, resulting in its closure in April 1988. The building remained vacant from 1988 until leased by the University of Queensland . The university refurbished the building from 1991 to 1994 at a cost of A$ 7.5 million. At this period some of the interior masonry walls that had been removed in 1947 were replaced and the original timber stair was reconstructed. Non-significant partitions added after 1948 and parts of

4424-474: The mouth of the river. The place has a special association with the life or work of a particular person, group or organisation of importance in Queensland's history. It has a special association with the Australian Customs Service, which occupied the building for nearly 100 years. [REDACTED] This Misplaced Pages article incorporates text from "The Queensland heritage register" published by

4503-439: The northeast, northwest and southwest elevations. The arcaded facades are symmetrical with central towers of one additional storey surmounted by a pediment . The corners are emphasised with pavilions which step forward terminating the arcades . The basement walls are distinguished by smooth banded rustication . The southeast facade has no arcade and no central tower. The building is faced with sandstone ashlar except for

4582-465: The opening of the new casino at Queen's Wharf . On 6 September 2024, Griffith University announced that they would be purchasing the Treasury Building to use as a new inner-city campus. The historic building is set to accommodate students and staff from the Schools of Business , Information Technology and Law , and will also serve as a “centre for postgraduate and executive education”. The new campus

4661-432: The perimeter of the site reasonably intact and incorporates a wrought iron balustrade, masonry piers, stairs and rooms for the former underground privies at the river's edge. There is a small ground with a mature fig tree and sunken garden, which contribute to the building's riverside setting. The view from the river and the secure wharf area has been compromised by the riverside walkway. The former Brisbane Customs House

4740-518: The project. Tenders were called in April 1890, and the principal contract was let to builder John Jude of Adelaide , with a contract price of £67,000. The contract was completed by February 1893 and the new wing was occupied in the middle of that year by the Registrar of Titles, Justice, Works, Public Instruction and the State Savings Bank , for whom a purpose-built banking chamber was included in

4819-482: The renovation, there is a restaurant and function centre within the building, and regular concerts and an art gallery occupies the lower floor. The Long Room was once the place customs business was transacted. Today the room is used various events, such as lectures and dinners. In October 2015, it was announced that a 47-storey tower block would be built adjacent to the Customs House. Protests erupted over concerns that

SECTION 60

#1732856186160

4898-499: The river and the town. The riverside setting allows long views across and along the river to the building. Other features of the Brisbane Customs House which demonstrate its former use are more characteristic of late 19th century customs houses in Australia, especially the general design and planning arrangement of the building to include an imposing masonry facade , an impressive public space (the former Long Room now used for functions),

4977-408: The river for ships arriving from Moreton Bay. The architectural form of the building announces the northern edge of the city centre and is sympathetic to the landscape features of cliffs and river bends. The architectural form clearly demonstrates the intended purpose of the building with the double entrance from both the city and the river, which is a response to the siting of the building between

5056-400: The site. The building consists of a partly sunken basement and an elevated ground floor or piano nobile above which are two additional floors. It is built to the property alignment around a large central courtyard . The design is consistent with English practice of the late nineteenth century in employing a classical style drawn from sixteenth century Italian architecture. Arcades protect

5135-636: The term "customs house". This was after the City of London's Custom House was erected at Wool Wharf in Tower Ward , to house just the officials overseeing the Great Custom on Wool and Woolfells. The singular form was used even though in later years the City of London's Custom House served as the workplace for other customs officials as well. Treasury Building, Brisbane The Treasury Building , previously known as

5214-404: The third phase of construction, is made of reinforced concrete rather than the cast iron stringers with slate treads that were used on the earlier staircases. The staircase is lit with Palladian motif windows opening onto the courtyard. Wide continuous hallways connect all rooms on each level while vertical circulation is via generous staircases located along the hallway. With the exception of

5293-406: The third phase of the building consists of reinforced concrete slabs supported on loadbearing masonry columns and steel girders. The roofs of the earlier sections are hipped corrugated iron , easily distinguished from the roof of the third stage which is a flat reinforced concrete slab protected by a bituminous membrane. The building has several entrances. The main entry is located centrally on

5372-513: The third stage of the Treasury Building was not started until 1922. The Registrar-General's building was demolished late 1922/early 1923, and construction commenced in mid-1923, using day labour. This was deliberate government encouragement of state enterprise, as was the government acquisition of Millers Quarries at Helidon to provide the stone. The front elevation of the third section differed only slightly from Clark's original concept, although structurally and in internal materials and fittings it

5451-483: The tower would be too close to the Customs House causing over-shadowing and the likely destruction of the fig tree. University of Queensland announced it would lodge a legal challenge against the approval of the project by Brisbane City Council , stating that the tower would be only 2.6 metres (8 ft 6 in) from the Customs House boundary, despite the council's own provisions in the City Plan 2014, which would require

5530-467: The townscape. Its location on the riverbank adds to its aesthetic values, allowing distant views from along and across the river. The place has a strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group for social, cultural or spiritual reasons. The place has strong associations for the Brisbane community as a landmark and as a rare surviving marker of the Port of Brisbane before it moved to

5609-471: Was a 1920s building. It was completed, occupied and opened officially in 1928 at a final cost of £137,817, providing expanded accommodation for existing Treasury Building tenants. In the 1950s, demand for further accommodation led to the construction in 1961 of a five-storeyed annex in the courtyard. In 1971 the Treasury and Works Departments moved to the new Executive Building at 100 George Street, thus severing

5688-486: Was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 7 February 2005. The collection of custom duties on imported products was particularly important to Queensland where the manufacturing sector was slow to develop. Brisbane was declared a port city in 1846. In 1908, seven years after federation, the building was acquired by the federal government. Customs House is within reach of the CityCat catamaran ferry service, as well as

5767-520: Was amongst the more impressive of a number of notable public and commercial buildings erected in Brisbane during the 1880s. It is important in demonstrating part of the pattern of Queensland's history. The place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a particular class of cultural places. The former Brisbane Customs House is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of its class of cultural places: late 19th century masonry customs houses. These characteristics include:

5846-559: Was in 1973 serving as a Selective Service office. As of 2019 , the Custom House of Valletta in Malta was still being used for its original purpose. Custom Houses became a prominent feature of English ports after 1275, following the creation of a national system for collecting duties on overseas trade. In the United Kingdom , since 1386, the phrase "custom house" has been in use over

5925-519: Was installed at another location; mezzanine floors were erected in the Long Room; and the roof was replaced - without the original chimneys. In 1978 part of the exterior was cleaned, repaired and sealed and painted. In the mid-1980s the Australian Customs Department moved out of the building to Australia House. The building became redundant when port facilities moved to the Port of Brisbane at

6004-403: Was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on 7 February 2005 having satisfied the following criteria. The place is important in demonstrating the evolution or pattern of Queensland's history. The former Brisbane Customs House, constructed between 1886 and 1889 to a design prepared by Charles McLay of the Queensland Colonial Architect's Office, was in use by the customs service for nearly

6083-401: Was selected to spur the development of wharves in the precinct known as Petrie Bight . The lower floor contained a secure warehouse where goods not having been passed customs were stored. Customs House is a Brisbane landmark known for its distinctive copper dome. The building was designed by Charles McLay of the Queensland Colonial Architect's Office. Despite no government in the country having

6162-689: Was the major designer under the colonial architect George Connolly and was appointed Chief Draftsman in 1889. His works include the Bundaberg Post Office, probably the Fortitude Post Office and the Lady Norman Wing Brisbane Children's Hospital (with John James Clark ), of which the Brisbane Customs House is by far the most ambitious and prominent design. The contract was let to one of Brisbane's oldest and most respected contractors, John Petrie & Son , who tendered with

6241-697: Was used. Clark is significant in Australian architectural history. He received his training and experience in the architectural office of the Victorian Department of Public Works, and designed major public buildings in Victoria (e.g. the Old Treasury Building in Melbourne ), Queensland and Western Australia . Documentation for the first stage of the Treasury Building, which fronted William Street and

#159840