Whispers of the wharf: a journey through Queen’s Wharf and beyond

The Queen’s Wharf redevelopment is a significant project in Brisbane, bringing new changes to the city’s skyline and creating a vibrant area in the heart of the CBD.

As the Queen’s Wharf precinct opens and begins to welcome visitors, it is a perfect time to reflect on the rich history of this area—a site that has experienced remarkable transformations over the centuries.

Let’s take a journey through the historical evolution of the Queen’s Wharf area by exploring key landmarks that have not only shaped Brisbane’s past but also create a tangible connection to the present.

The Queen’s Wharf area

The Queen’s Wharf precinct is situated on the western side of Brisbane’s central business district, an area integral to the early European settlement.

Before European settlement the land was part of an extensive alluvial blue gum forest, interspersed with river red gum, apple, box, and ironbark trees. This lush environment supported a rich understory of native grasses. The massive trees from this forest were quickly utilised for building the fledgling settlement.

This land also holds deep significance for the Turrbal and Jagera peoples, who have lived in and around the Brisbane area for thousands of years. The Turrbal and Jagera nations have long revered the natural landscape, including the diverse forests and waterways that provided essential resources and held cultural significance.

Their stories, traditions, and connection to the land are woven into the fabric of the region’s history.

Queens Garden and the statue of Queen Victoria

^{Queens Gardens, George Street, Brisbane, September 1936, ITM1009405}

Queens Garden developed between 1905 and 1962 is an historically significant public space located at 144 George Street, between the Treasury Casino and the former Land Administration buildings.

Originally part of the early penal settlement at Moreton Bay, the area evolved from convict administration facilities, flourished into a centre of Anglicanism and ultimately blossomed into a public park.

The current garden design holds significant value as it showcases the hallmark features of renowned landscape architect Harry Oakman’s work. It remains one of the most well-preserved examples of his contribution to Brisbane’s landscape architecture.

At the heart of the garden stands the statue of Queen Victoria, unveiled on May 24 1906 as a tribute that reflected Queensland’s deep affection for the late monarch, despite King Edward VII being the reigning monarch at that time.

Commissioned using funds raised through public subscription, the statue is a replica of the Jubilee Memorial Statue erected in Hove near Brighton, England created by Sir Thomas Brock.

The statue not only serves as a prominent reminder of Brisbane’s colonial past, but also symbolises the lasting impact of Queen Victoria’s reign on Australia.

Today, the monument remains the only statue of Queen Victoria in Brisbane, anchoring Queens Gardens in both historical and cultural significance.

Over the years, Queens Garden has evolved into a cherished public space for gathering, reflection, and commemoration. Its proximity to the new Queen’s Wharf precinct ensures that it remains an integral part of Brisbane’s urban landscape, connecting the city’s rich history with its vibrant future.

Commissariat Stores

^{Commissariat Stores, William Street, Brisbane, c 1913,}^ITM635212

The Commissariat Store, the oldest occupied colonial building in Queensland, stands as a reminder of Brisbane’s penal history and early colonial infrastructure.

Constructed between 1828 and 1829 by convicts from the Moreton Bay penal settlement, the store was built from local stone to serve as a provisions depot near the Brisbane River, close to what would later become Queen’s Wharf.

Initially a two-story structure, a third story was added in 1913 to accommodate its ongoing use as a government store.

The building played a crucial role in the early colony, managing the procurement, storage, and distribution of supplies to the military, convicts, and colonists, as well as overseeing hospital requisites, customs, and banking needs.

The Commissariat Store also holds personal significance for Queensland State Archives, as it was our first home in 1960!

^{Commissariat Store, William Street, Brisbane, c 1960, ITM635212}

Added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1978, the building is now preserved as a museum operated by the Royal Historical Society of Queensland.

The stone retaining walls that remain around the store and that front Queens Wharf Road are the only examples remaining in Queensland that were built by convicts… providing rare evidence of the building methods, skills and materials available at that time.

Located within the Queen’s Wharf redevelopment area, the Commissariat Store remains a prominent historical landmark, seamlessly connecting Brisbane’s past with its dynamic future.

^{Plan and section of Commissariat Store, Moreton Bay, 1840,}^ITM659620

Queensland Treasury

^{Treasury Building by night – Brisbane, September 1959,}^ITM1523215

The Queensland Treasury Building, originally known as the New Public Offices, was erected between 1886 and 1928. This Italian Renaissance-style structure was the cornerstone of the Queensland Government’s public administration, occupying a site reserved for government purposes since 1825.

Initially housing convict-built officers’ quarters and military barracks, the building evolved to become the hub of government activities, influencing the state’s political and administrative landscape.

During the Second World War air raid shelters were constructed outside the Treasury Building as part of Brisbane’s broader wartime efforts to protect civilians from potential air attacks from Japan.

After the war most of Brisbane’s air raid shelters — which were thankfully never needed — were demolished or repurposed. Of those converted, at least 20 survive today, now serving as bus shelters or shade structures in parks under the ownership of Brisbane City Council.

*Air Raid Shelters outside the Treasury Building, Brisbane, c 1945,* *ITM1143331*.

At the turn of the century, the Treasury Building became a prominent symbol of self-government and a focal point for celebratory and patriotic events.

Over the years many government departments called the Treasury Building home, including the Premier, Colonial Secretary, Registrar-General, Treasury, Mines, Works, Police and the Auditor-General.

Its role as a site of civic pride was first highlighted by the opening of the new Victoria Bridge in 1897. This was followed by significant events such as the proclamation of the Australian Commonwealth, which Lord Lamington read from a William Street balcony on January 1, 1901. Unfortunately, just three weeks later, black drapes were hung from the building’s entrance to mourn the death of Queen Victoria, whose bronze statue still stands in Queens Gardens today.

In an interesting historical anecdote, Yilbung (also known as Millbong Jemmy) a Turrbal man who fiercely resisted British colonisation in the 1840s made a notable appearance near the site of the future Treasury Building.

After a public flogging and release from gaol, Yilbung visited the soldiers’ barracks located where the Treasury now stands. The soldiers, surprised by his presence, chided him for being a “good boy now.” Yilbung took this opportunity to steal an expensive tobacco box from right under their noses, later trading it for a dillybag of sweet potatoes at Petrie’s garden.

Such acts of defiance were a way for Aboriginal people to “show up” white authorities and assert their presence in the face of colonial oppression.

Heritage-listed in 1992, the Treasury Building was transformed in the 1990s into the Treasury Casino and Hotel, a prime example of adaptive reuse that preserved its historical façade while modernising its interior.

As part of the redevelopment, the Treasury Casino and Hotel will move to a new location within the Queen’s Wharf precinct, and the original Treasury Building will be sold to Griffith University.

^{Treasury Building from IAC Building, Brisbane, 5 July 1971,}^ITM436419

The Mansions

^{The Mansions building, corner shot – Brisbane, November 1973,}^ITM1839209

Built in 1889 The Mansions located at 40 George Street is an historically significant building designed by architect George Henry Male Addison.

Originally constructed as six attached elite masonry houses for prominent Queensland politicians—Premier Boyd Dunlop Morehead, Treasurer William Pattison, and Member for Clermont John Stevenson—the building reflects a time of significant population growth and land development in Brisbane.

Although elite tenants began occupying The Mansions from 1889, the economic downturn leading to the 1893 depression hindered full occupancy. From 1896 to 1954, the property served as a boarding house before being acquired by the Queensland Government for use as offices.

Scheduled for demolition in the 1970s, The Mansions were saved and refurbished in 1982, preserving its historical façade while modernising the interior.

^{The Mansions building renovations – Brisbane, 1983-1985,}^IT^M2681362

It became part of the Government Precinct Development in 1986, alongside Harris Terrace, housing professional offices and exclusive retail stores.

Listed on the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992, The Mansions stand as a remarkable example of nineteenth-century terraced housing, a style that was uncommon in Queensland and is now rare.

This prestigious and ornate building reflects the distinctive style of George Henry Male Addison, a significant figure in Queensland’s architectural history.

The Mansions intricate roof forms, stone detailing and face brickwork demonstrate Addison’s skills in creating striking and highly finished structures, making it a key piece of Brisbane’s architectural and social history.

A notable historical figure associated with the building is Dr. Lilian Cooper, Queensland’s first registered female doctor, who lived and worked at The Mansions in 1891.

^{Doctor Lilian Violet Cooper. (2004). John Oxley Library,
State Library of Queensland.}

Now, as part of the Queen’s Wharf precinct, The Mansions is one of several heritage buildings that will be restored and repurposed, offering premium dining and bar experiences to locals and visitors.

Lands Administration Building

^{Land Administration Building, Brisbane, 1963,}^ITM436302

Built between 1901 and 1905, the Land Administration Building, located at 142 William Street, is an historically relevant structure that showcases Queensland’s architectural and economic pride during the early 20th century.

Originally intended to house the Lands and Survey Departments, it became the Executive Building, also accommodating the Premier and Executive Council.

This four-storey masonry building stands as a testament to Queensland’s economic recovery in the late 1890s and its newfound federated status.

The building features locally sourced materials, such as granite from Enoggera and freestone from Helidon and Yangan, and its facades are adorned with allegorical carvings of Queensland’s mining and agricultural industries.

The building also highlighted the state’s natural resources with decorative carvings and timber mantelpieces made from maple, cedar, black bean, and silky oak.

From 1905 to 1930, it housed the Queensland National Art Gallery, and both Executive Council and Cabinet met there until 1971, after which it became known as the Land Administration Building.

As part of the Queen’s Wharf redevelopment heritage refurbishment work will begin in 2025-2026, transforming this iconic building into a boutique hotel by 2027-2028, ensuring its continued relevance in Brisbane’s modern landscape.

^{Works Department Lands Administration building, dropped keystone in arch
Brisbane, January 1974, ITM1994524}

As we trace the historical tapestry of the Queen’s Wharf area, it’s clear that this vibrant precinct stands on a foundation rich with heritage and transformation.

*Treasury Building, Brisbane, 1898,* *ITM1108463*

Acknowledging First Nations Cultures through artwork

As part of the redevelopment the inclusion of artwork by First Nations Artists Wukun Wanambi and Tony Albert will play a significant role in honouring Indigenous culture and history. Among these works is Destiny a five-metre high aluminium sculpture featuring three large mullet fish, created by the late Wakun Wanambi an esteemed Yolngu artist from Eastern Arnhem Land. This totem-like piece representing Wanambi’s clan, will stand proudly atop a bull shark-shaped shelter at The Landing, a series of grassy knolls and terraces that link back to Queen’s Wharf Plaza. The sculpture, completed before Wanambi’s passing in 2022, captures the spiritual and cultural connection between the artist’s heritage and the landscape.

Another prominent piece in the redevelopment is Inhabitant, a 15-metre floating art garden by Townsville-born First Nations artist Tony Albert. This bold installation, depicting Australian native plants such as Banksia, Desert Pea, and Waratah, will hover four metres above the porte-cochere drive-through entrance to Brisbane’s new entertainment precinct. Crafted from marine-grade aluminium, Inhabitant adds a vibrant and dynamic element to the space, reflecting the deep connection to land and nature central to Indigenous Australian culture.

Other artworks included in the precinct are:

Being Swallowed by the Milky Way: an eight-metre high, eight tonne bronze sculpture by internationally renowned artist Lindy Lee.
Lungfish Dreamz: a supersized mosaic wall mural of Australian lungfish by local artist Samuel Tupou.
A Cottage Year: a high-tech interactive digital light installation for the heritage listed The Printery Office by husband-and-wife team Alinta Krauth and Jason Nelson.
Sheila: a larger-than-life five tonne goddess-like bronze sculpture by Justene Williams.

As the Queen’s Wharf redevelopment revitalises these historic structures, it merges the old with the new, honouring Brisbane’s past while shaping its future.

Additional resources:

1 Response

Narrelle Morris

Sir William Flood Webb, Chief Justice of Queensland (1940-1946) boarded at “The Mansions” as a very young man just after the turn of the century, as his aunt Mrs Harriett Bowden was the proprietor of a boarding house in the two western sections from 1903 to about 1911.

Another prominent tenant in 1905 was the barrister Mr F.W.S. Cumbrae-Stewart, later the founding Registrar, Librarian and Professor of Law at the University of Queensland

Reply 19 September, 2024 at 4:09 pm

Stories from the Archives

Queensland State Archives