
The building was constructed in 1888-9 to a design by prolific Brisbane architect, Richard Gailey, and was originally part of a group of warehouses cleverly positioned at the port entrance to Brisbane and opposite Customs House. It was known then as Hill's Building, after one of the original owners, investor Charles Lumley Hill. Towards the turn of the new century, the warehouses were tenanted by the United Graziers Association and the Queensland Country Life Newspaper, which by 1964 was the principal tenant. In Brisbane's "redevelopment" frenzy of the early seventies, part of the original construction was demolished to allow the construction of a high-rise building.

And now, if the tourist were to look more closely, she would notice that the building hasn't been retained. At least not in full - the wonderful architecture on display is what the developers refer to as a facade, meaning the front of the building. I also refer to it as a facade, meaning a superficial appearance or illusion. In the photo above, you can see the truncated former building stuck on to its modern usurper as if by super glue.
Would I rather have the facade than no remnant at all? Undoubtedly yes. But it's a bit like kissing your sister - it is not fully satisfying. Other cities have managed to construct their new buildings without terminating their history. Brisbane's history is brief enough - let's not obliterate what little of it remains. But I fear that we have not learned from our past errors. Watch out for my post on the Regent Theatre in Queen St, appearing here next.
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