An Architectural Icon Restored & Reborn Described by the Brisbane Courier as a veritable temple of Mammon when completed in 1885, the Queensland National Bank building occupies an important place in our history and cultural heritage. Built as the headquarters of the newly formed, purely local bank, the stately building became a symbol of the burgeoning colony s prosperity, confidence and independence. Situated at 308 Queen Street, on the corner of Creek Street, it was a fitting monument to its time, place and purpose, creating a commanding presence in the inner city s financial quarter. Designed in the Italian Renaissance style by the prominent and prolific Brisbane architect FDG Stanley, the Queensland National Bank was considered one of the world s finest banks in its day. Today, remarkably well preserved and largely unaltered since it was built, the building is credited by the National Trust as one of Australia s finest examples of Classical Revival architecture. Some 120 years after the Queensland National Bank first rang with the chink of gold, plans commenced to restore the historic building and restore its place in the daily life and civic heart of Brisbane. The Queensland National Bank was built with local sandstone quarried from Murphy s Creek near Toowoomba. The towering Corinthian columns and meticulous carved work are of New Zealand s Oamaru limestone. (Image: John Oxley Library) The Chambers 2 3
One feels on entering it a sensation of awe an almost irresistible inclination to take off one s hat. The jewel in the crown the central glazed dome fills the banking chamber with natural light. (Image: John Oxley Library) Brisbane Courier September 1885 The Chambers 4 5
The Chambers comprise 13 self-contained office suites the original rooms of the Queensland National Bank building, painstakingly restored and sharply dressed for work. The original cedar joinery, marble fireplaces, decorative ceilings and brass chandeliers all remain. Each suite is outfitted with a contemporary, freestanding office pod. Five metre ceiling heights enable the floor area to be extended via a mezzanine level. The suites range in size from 29m 2 to 100m 2, including the mezzanine. The original first floor boardroom is preserved and reserved as a majestic space for meetings and functions, available for private hire. The site of many historic Queensland Cabinet meetings, the boardroom features original mahogany and walnut furnishings and a WWI honour board. A Queen Street-level space creates a spectacular restaurant and bar setting, opening the building to the public. Much of the original Chambers interior is revealed for the first time in decades, with the removal of subsequent partitions and additions. The magnificent central glazed dome is uncovered to once again fill the banking chamber with natural light. A new Pantheonlike roof creates an eye to the sky, casting a shifting shaft of light into The Chambers. The building interior features fine cedar joinery, decorative ceilings, original chandeliers and Italian marble fireplaces all remarkably well preserved. Each suite is outfitted with a contemporary, freestanding office pod, which increases the floor area via a mezzanine level. The Chambers 6 7
The National Australia Bank will continue to operate its premier city branch from the original banking chamber on the ground level of The Chambers as it has done since merging with the Queensland National Bank in 1948. Queen Street Elevation Creek Street Elevation Specifications Two dual-access 12-person lifts service both The Tower and The Chambers Full amenities on each level Disabled-compliant access The Chambers Boardroom available for private hire, managed by Consolidated Properties Group Lift access via Creek Street entrance and Queen Street laneway Original Queen Street entrance and staircase retained and accessible Original lift retained for ceremonial purposes only Several suites feature mezzanine level Leasing areas range in size from 29m 2 to 100m 2 (including the mezzanine) All office suites feature data and phone connections, plus individually controlled, cabinet-mounted air conditioning units Twelve of 13 suites feature original marble fireplaces and direct access to balconies Existing heritage lighting retained, supplemented by contemporary fittings to meet current commercial standards Variety of interior colour schemes, as per original heritage colour palettes All bar one of the suites open to the balconies on Queen and Creek Streets. Entry to The Chambers can be made via the grand original Queen Street entry, via the adjacent cobbled laneway, or via Creek Street.
Even a most cursory observation would conclude that this is a very special building. Robert Riddel Conservation Architect (The Chambers) The Chambers feature Italian marble fireplaces with customised glazed ceramic tiling here depicting Milton s Il Penseroso and L Allegro. The original staircase, lit naturally from decorative light wells, wraps around the lift well and opens to the The Chambers grand Queen Street entrance.
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Take a place in Brisbane s history and future Five years in the planning, approval and development, the Queensland National Bank building at 308 Queen Street will be reborn in 2008. Developed under the guiding hand of conservation architect Robert Riddel, and the bold vision of design architects Donovan Hill, The Chambers and The Tower at 308 present a rare selection of prime office space. A distinctive combination of colonial heritage and contemporary architecture, in the commercial heart of Brisbane city. The Tower 2 3
Another Quality Development by Consolidated Properties The Chambers and The Tower at 308 are proudly developed by Consolidated Properties Group and Trinity Group. So proud are they, in fact, they re taking three levels of the Tower as their new national headquarters. Consolidated Properties Group is the development arm of the public-listed Trinity Group. With a national pipeline of projects valued at more than $2 billion, Consolidated Properties is one of Queensland s most diverse and dynamic property development companies. As the projects completed to date ably attest, Consolidated Properties has an enviable track record for identifying new opportunities, and responding with innovative solutions that are enthusiastically embraced by the market. Some past projects include: Commonwealth Law Courts, Brisbane Casuarina Beach, Tweed Coast 175 Eagle Street, Brisbane Greensborough Urban Village, Melbourne Bretts Wharf, Brisbane consprop.com.au trinity.com.au Consolidated Properties is headquartered in Brisbane, with offices in Melbourne, Cairns and soon Sydney. The Tower at 308 will provide the new headquarters for Consolidated Properties and Trinity from 2008. The Tower 4 5
The Tower at 308 creates a cool, contemporary complement to The Chambers. The new sevenstorey building reflects the scale, setting and character of its venerable neighbour. A highly poetic and pragmatic external screen hangs like an elegant veil over a glazed interior. Key architectural motifs and classical references further the dialogue between the neighbours, from the screen perforations, to the bite from the cantilevered roof. From the ground up, from the inside out, the ultra-modern Tower at 308 has been designed to support the ways in which we work and the world in which we live. The Tower at 308 provides business with a rewarding working environment, and the most distinctive setting, in the commercial heart of the city centre. Developers Consolidated Properties Group and Trinity Group will occupy four levels of the tower their new national headquarters. Four levels including the top levels remain. A ground-level space creates a vibrant retail venue in the busy commercial precinct. Entry to the buildings can be made via a twostorey outdoor room joining The Chambers and Tower on Creek Street; via The Chambers grand original Queen Street entry; or via the cobbled laneway off Queen Street. Two dual-access lifts housed in The Tower service both buildings. Vehicle access to The Tower basement is via Creek Street. An intermediate floor in The Tower includes a mezzanine amenities space within The Chambers. The Tower extends the tectonic tradition of the existing building... expressive construction systems and genuine material qualities become building identity. Join the National Australia Bank, Consolidated Properties Group and the Trinity Group, and take a place in Brisbane s history and future. Brian Donovan Design Architect, Donovan Hill The Tower 6 7
In 2007, the FDG Stanley Award for Public Buildings Architecture was given to design architects Donovan Hill in association with Peddle Thorp for the State Library of Queensland. Architects of the new Tower With 308, FDG Stanley and Architect of the original Chambers building Donovan Hill collaborate across time to create Brisbane s most distinctive professional address. The Tower 14 15