(Photo: State Library of Queensland and John Oxley Library; P 728.31 rei)And here is one of the first photographs of the completed project, taken in 1963.
(Photo: State Library of Queensland and John Oxley Library; #19468)When the building was under construction, there was no City Council legislation governing home units. The state government, then headed by Frank Nicklin, heavily supported the concept. As the project was developed before the advent of Strata Title ownership, buyers became investors in the Torbreck Home Units Limited company, and received shares based on the purchase price of their apartment. The promotional literature boasted that: "Each of the 150 home units was designed with at least one private balcony, and was fitted with built-ins, electric kitchen, two telephone connections (bedroom and lounge), sewerage and garbage disposal facilities, washing machine and clothes drier. Water, pumped from the city reservoirs to large storage tanks on the roof, was treated by the latest in American water-softening equipment. Television reception was available, and a swimming pool was constructed in the grounds." An interesting aspect to the project was that the slabs for the floors and roof were pre-fabricated and then lifted into place by cranes. One of the clever innovations that came from the architects was the installation of these vertical louvres to control light and heat on the decks that had eastern or western walls.
(Photo: Courtesy Leo Tsimpikas Real Estate via leotsimpikas.com.au)It is no exaggeration to say that this development paved the way for Brisbane's current apartment-mania. The prime position and extensive views made Torbreck popular from the get-go, and apartments there are still highly sought-after. Here is how the apartment block looks now.
(Photos: © 2010 the foto fanatic)Click here for a Google Map.
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3 comments:
Fascinating place. I'd love to go up to that room at the top - it looks like some sort of viewing gallery.
Yes - it says this at CHIMS:
"Due to spiralling construction costs and/or lack of Brisbane City Council approval, some of the more elaborate aspects of the scheme had to be abandoned: shopping facilities and professional suites at ground level; basement laundry service; a top-class restaurant offering room service; a terrace cafe; roof and indoor gardens; and a tennis court, putting green and fully equipped children's playground. A planned rooftop observation lounge translated as an enclosed rooftop viewing deck."
I lived in Gloucester Street, Dornoch Terrace runs across Gladstone Road, into my old street. Tram stop 13, Dutton Park line.
I remember 3 very large houses along the top of Dornoch Tce were demolished, I used to go and watch the construction as a young paper boy.
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