View source for The Mansions, Brisbane

{{Short description|Heritage-listed buildings in Brisbane, Queensland}}
<!-- Article title: '''The Mansions, Brisbane''' siteId: 14894 placeRef:600119 -->
{{Use Australian English|date=April 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}
{{Infobox historic site
| name = The Mansions, Brisbane
| image =File:The Mansions, Brisbane, Jan 2020.jpg
| caption =George Street corner [[Margaret Street, Brisbane|Margaret Street]] façade of the Mansions.
| locmapin = Queensland
| map_caption =
| coordinates = {{coord|-27.4744|153.0266|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|display=inline,title}}
| location = 40 [[George Street, Brisbane|George Street]], [[Brisbane City, Queensland|Brisbane City]], [[City of Brisbane]], [[Queensland]], Australia
| beginning_label = Design period
| beginning_date = 1870s–1890s (late 19th century)
| built = 1889
| built_for =
| demolished =
| architect =[[G.H.M. Addison]]
| architecture =[[Victorian architecture]]
| owner =
| designation1 = Queensland Heritage Register
| designation1_offname = The Mansions
| designation1_type = state heritage (built)
| designation1_date = 21 August 1992
| delisted1_date =
| designation1_partof =
| designation1_number = 600119
| designation1_free1name = Significant period
| designation1_free1value = 1880s onwards
| designation1_free2name = Significant components
| designation1_free2value = residential accommodation – terrace house/terrace, fence/wall – perimeter
| designation1_free3name = Builders
| designation1_free3value =RE Burton
}}
'''The Mansions''' is a heritage-listed row of six [[terrace house]]s at 40 [[George Street, Brisbane|George Street]] (corner of [[Margaret Street, Brisbane|Margaret Street]]), [[Brisbane City, Queensland|Brisbane City]], [[City of Brisbane]], [[Queensland]], Australia. It was designed by [[G.H.M. Addison]] and built in 1889 by RE Burton. It was added to the [[Queensland Heritage Register]] on 21 August 1992.<ref name=qhr>{{cite QHR|14894|The Mansions|600119|accessdate=1 August 2014}}</ref><ref name=Register>{{cite QHR|14894|The Mansions|600119|accessdate=13 August 2015}}</ref>
The architectural style is [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]] with Italianate influences.
== History ==
The Mansions, built in 1889 and located near [[Parliament House, Brisbane|Parliament House]] on the [[George Street, Brisbane|George Street]] ridge at the corner of [[Margaret Street, Brisbane|Margaret Street]], was designed by architect [[George Henry Male Addison]] as six attached elite masonry houses. Constructed by RE Burton for £11,700, it was an investment for three Queensland politicians – [[Boyd Dunlop Morehead]], then [[Premier of Queensland|Premier]]; [[William Pattison (Queensland politician)|William Pattison]], [[Treasurer of Queensland|Treasurer]]; and [[John Stevenson (Queensland politician)|John Stevenson]], member for [[Electoral district of Clermont|Clermont]] – during a decade of enormous population growth and land development in [[Brisbane]].<ref name=qhr/><ref name="Register" />
Since the 1820s, the north bank and adjacent ridgeline of the [[Brisbane River]], now containing [[William Street, Brisbane|William]] and George Streets, has always featured a concentration of government and associated activities and uses. Over the period of the [[Moreton Bay Penal Settlement|Moreton Bay penal settlement]], buildings constructed along this ridgeline, were used by government officials for "accommodation, administration and control".<ref name=history-1/> When the settlement was closed in 1842, the remnant penal infrastructure was used by surveyors as a basis for the layout for the new [[Borough of Brisbane|town of Brisbane]]. Set at right angles to the river, the prisoner's barracks determined [[Queen Street, Brisbane|Queen Street]], while the line of buildings along the ridge determined William Street. Streets surveyed parallel to these streets including George Street, formed Brisbane's rectangular grid.<ref name="qhr" /><ref name=history-2/>
While a range of buildings and activities occurred along George and William Streets from the 1840s, the government maintained its dominant presence in the area. At some sites (such as the former [[Commissariat Store, Brisbane|Commissariat Store]] and [[City Botanic Gardens|Brisbane Botanic Gardens]]) earlier uses were continued. The establishment phase following the [[separation of Queensland]] in 1859 saw the new colonial government reserve land parcels and construct a range of buildings to facilitate its functions. The building of Government House (now [[Old Government House, Queensland|Old Government House]]) and [[Parliament House, Brisbane|Parliament House]] along the eastern end of the George Street alignment in the 1860s firmly entrenched the physical reality of a government precinct in the area.<ref name="qhr" /><ref name="history-4"/>
The siting of Parliament House had a pronounced effect on the built environment around lower George Street. Many of Queensland's early politicians were pastoralists, a reflection of their economic dominance in the colony. Together with a growing workforce of public servants, these politicians required accommodation when in Brisbane. From the 1860s to the 1880s, a range of buildings, many built by, or for politicians, were built to address these needs.<ref name="qhr" /><ref name=history-4/>
Throughout the 1880s Brisbane was transforming into a colonial city. Many of Queensland's immigrants remained in the capital, swelling the population from almost 40,000 in 1881 to well over 90,000 in 1891. This growth stimulated building, municipal organisation, amenities and services, and cultural and leisure outlets. The flourishing building activity caused Brisbane's practising architects to treble in number, and builders and contractors to rise from 16 in 1882 to 87 in 1887. Brisbane's centre sprouted a host of impressive new stone buildings including the [[Customs House, Brisbane|Customs House]], additions to the [[Government Printing Office]], the first wing of the [[Treasury Building, Brisbane|Treasury Building]] and the [[Alice Street, Brisbane|Alice Street]] facade of Parliament House. The number of inhabited dwellings in the capital almost doubled between 1881 and 1891 from 5,814 to 10,321, causing the town to overshoot its old boundaries. Consequently, land speculation was extensive and the capital value of metropolitan land rose towards its peak in 1890, a level not approximated again until 1925.<ref name="qhr"/><ref name=history-5>Crook, Paul 'Brisbane Society in the 1880s', UQ Hons thesis, 1958, Ch. 1, pp. 4, 11-12, 31</ref><ref>Davison, 'New, Brawny, Uneven and Half-finished', in Fisher, Brisbane in 1888, Brisbane History Group, Brisbane, 1988, pp. 156-7</ref><ref>Crook, 'Brisbane Society in the 1880s', Ch. 1, pp. 4, 23 cited by H J Davies, The Hume Family of Toowoomba and Brisbane: A Case Study of Middle-class Social Mobility, UQ PhD thesis, 2004, pp. 184-6.</ref>
The land on which The Mansions was later erected, lots 1 and 2 of Portion 38, was originally purchased as Town Lot 56 in 1852 by land speculator [[James Gibbon]].<ref name=history-6/> By 1863 he had subdivided the land into three lots, but lots 1 and 2 remained vacant. The land was transferred in 1882 to William Williams, a successful Brisbane businessman associated with the [[Australian United Steam Navigation Company|Australian Steam Navigation Shipping Company]]. He in turn sold the vacant land in August 1888 to Pattison, Morehead and Stevenson who were members of parliament, business associates and friends.<ref name="qhr" /><ref name=history-7/>
BD Morehead (1843–1905) was a pastoralist, businessman and politician who served in both the [[Queensland Legislative Assembly]] and [[Queensland Legislative Council|Legislative Council]]. With AB Buchanan he established BD Morehead and Co. in 1873 which comprised a mercantile and trading business and a stock and station agency. He experienced financial disaster in the [[Australian banking crisis of 1893|1893 economic crisis]].<ref>{{Citation|title=Morehead, Boyd Dunlop (1843–1905)|url=http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/morehead-boyd-dunlop-4240|work=Australian Dictionary of Biography|publisher=National Centre of Biography, Australian National University|access-date=2020-05-02}}</ref> William Pattison (1830–96), a businessman, mine director and politician, served in the Queensland Legislative Assembly between 1886 and 1893. He was one of the original shareholders and later chairman of directors of the [[Mount Morgan Gold Mining Company]] but was damaged politically and economically by the 50% collapse of the company's share price from mid-1888.<ref>{{Citation|last=Stoodley|first=June|title=Pattison, William (1830–1896)|date=1974|url=http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/pattison-william-4377|work=Australian Dictionary of Biography|publisher=National Centre of Biography, Australian National University|access-date=2020-05-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book| author1=Peach, John | title=The biggest ever mining swindle in the Colonies | date=December 2007 | publication-date=2008 | publisher=Interactive Publications | isbn=978-1-876819-77-4 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book| last=Abbay|first=Olivia Jane) | title=Rockhampton : a bibliography to 1975 |year=1980 | publication-date=1980 | publisher=Capricornia Institute of Advanced Education | isbn=978-0-908140-08-4 |url=http://library-resources.cqu.edu.au/ebooks/abbay/1_1072-2141.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170220193953/http://library-resources.cqu.edu.au/ebooks/abbay/1_1072-2141.pdf|archive-date=20 February 2017 }}
</ref> John Stevenson was a pastoralist who bought into the firm of BD Morehead and Co., managing the stock and station business until 1896 when he formed the business J Stevenson and Co. He was a member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly from 1875 to 1893.<ref name="qhr" /><ref name=history-10/>
These three men engaged architect George Henry Male Addison to design a row of houses for the George Street site. Addison had moved from [[Melbourne]] to Brisbane and established a branch of [[Oakden, Addison and Kemp]], which in 1888 won the competition to build a new exhibition hall for the [[Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland|National Agricultural and Industrial Association]] on [[Gregory Terrace]] (now known as the [[Old Museum Building, Brisbane|Old Museum Building]]). Addison was an accomplished designer, his buildings stylistically eclectic and more ornately and highly finished than any previously seen in the city. The distinctive use of face brickwork relieved with stone or rendered detailing and steep dominant roof forms are characteristics of his work.<ref name=history-11/> Other Addison-designed buildings include the [[Albert Street Uniting Church]] in Brisbane and the [[Strand Theatre, Toowoomba|Strand Theatre]] in [[Toowoomba]] Addison's skills and distinctive style of domestic architecture were recognised and attracted business from Queensland's leading professionals.<ref name=history-12/> Noteworthy houses designed by him are [[Cliveden Mansions]] in Brisbane; [[Kirkston]] in Brisbane; [[Oonooraba]] in [[Maryborough, Queensland|Maryborough]], and [[Ralahyne]], and [[Cumbooquepa]] both in [[South Brisbane, Queensland|South Brisbane]]. Addison called tenders for the construction of The Mansions viz "city residences in George street" in the [[Brisbane Courier]] on 29 September 1888, closing on 15 October.<ref name=history-13/> RE Burton's tender of £11,600 was accepted.<ref name="qhr" /><ref name=history-14/>
The Mansions was designed to be impressive and aesthetically pleasing, using high quality materials, generous use of ornamentation and careful composition of building forms, the six individual houses being unified by the overriding use of [[Arcade (architecture)|arcades]] and the arrangement, in alternating pairs, of entries and roof [[dormer]]s. The design was well suited to the climate, the arcades providing shade without impeding ventilation. Soon after the residences were completed in late 1889 [[The Boomerang]] described them as:<ref name="qhr" /><ref name="history-21"/><blockquote>"unique in their way, being built after the [[Queen Anne style architecture|Queen Anne style]] of red brick with stone facing. They have been constructed to suit the climate. The [[mantelpiece]]s are very rich and were specially imported. In fact, its as fine a terrace as any in Australia".</blockquote>Addison published a drawing of The Mansions in 1890 in the [[Building and Engineering Journal of Australia]], describing them as:<ref name="qhr" /><ref name="history-16" /><blockquote>"convenient and roomy having three reception rooms and ten bedrooms, exclusive of servants" quarters. The front is of brick, relieved with [[Oamaru stone|Oomaroo [sic] stone]], the total cost £11,700...".</blockquote>The Mansions as terraced houses were a type of land use that was uncommon in colonial Queensland due to the enactment of the [[Undue Subdivision of Land Prevention Act 1885]]. This legislation enforced a minimum lot size of {{convert|16|sqperch}} and a minimum frontage of {{convert|30|ft}} effectively stopping the building of terraced housing in Queensland except as a rental investment.<ref name="history-17" /> Early pre-legislation versions of terraced housing in Brisbane included [[Harris Terrace, Brisbane|Harris Terrace]] and Hodgson's Terrace (demolished) in George Street; [[Athol Place]] in [[Spring Hill, Queensland|Spring Hill]] (1860s); Princess Row in [[Petrie Terrace, Queensland|Petrie Terrace]] (1863) and a group of four houses ({{circa|1884-1885}}) in Wellington Road, Petrie Terrace. Terraces built around 1885 or afterwards included Byrne Terrace on [[Wickham Terrace]] (1885–86, architects [[John Hall and Son]], demolished); O'Keefe Terrace on Petrie Terrace (1886–87, architect [[Andrea Stombuco and Son]]); [[Cook Terrace]] (1889, possibly [[Taylor and Richer]]) on [[Coronation Drive, Brisbane|Coronation Drive]]; [[Cross Terrace]] in [[Red Hill, Queensland|Red Hill]] (1886); Petrie Mansions on Petrie Terrace (1887–88); [[Brighton Terrace]] in [[West End, Queensland|West End]] (1890 John Beauchamp Nicholson); and two terrace houses on Wellington Street, Petrie Terrace (1894/95). Of these, The Mansions was the grandest and most ambitious architecturally.<ref name="qhr" /><ref name="history-18" />
Elite tenants began to occupy the well-located residences from 1889 but the economic downturn which culminated in the 1893 depression denied full occupancy. Although the Queensland economy experienced problems from the mid-1880s, the downturn only became apparent from 1889 after local confidence waned and British investment funds dried up. The building industry was affected first and most severely, then depression spread to other sectors of the economy. The severest years of the depression in Queensland were from 1891 to 1893.<ref name=history-19/> Brisbane's economic experiences followed those of the Queensland economy overall but with different emphases. The phenomenal growth of the 1880s had culminated in widespread speculation in land and buildings, which created an excess capacity of offices and dwellings. Brisbane's descent into depression began with a crash in the construction and building materials industries and the collapse of building societies towards the end of 1891 after the climax of its land and building boom. Land and rent values began dropping in 1890, reaching their lowest level in 1893-1894. Empty dwellings became a common sight in the city and suburbs - some deserted while other recently built ones had never been occupied.<ref name=history-20/> All three investors in The Mansions suffered severe financial losses during this depression.<ref name=qhr/>
By 30 November 1889, two of the villas were occupied by members of parliament, William Pattison and the Hon. [[Maurice Black (Australian politician)|Hume Black]].<ref name=history-21/> Advertisements in the Brisbane Courier for tenants to let both the "George Street Mansions and Harris Terrace" on the opposite corner of Margaret Street appeared in the Brisbane Courier during December 1889. Other early residents were doctors – in 1890 Dr Fourness Simmons and a Dr Bennett.<ref name=history-22/> The 1891 [[Queensland Post Office Directory|Post Office Directory]] listed four houses as unoccupied and two occupied by doctors, EM Owens and A Bennett.<ref name=history-23/> In December 1891, Dr [[Lilian Violet Cooper|Lilian Cooper]], Queensland's first woman doctor and Australia's first female surgeon, established her consulting rooms in The Mansions and resided there for several years after the 1893 floods.<ref name=history-24/><ref name="Look">{{cite book|title=Looking up looking back at old Brisbane|last=Readshaw|first=Grahame|publisher=Boolarong Publications|year=1987|isbn=0-86439-032-7|location=[[Bowen Hills, Queensland]]|page=26|author2=Ronald Wood}}</ref> Pattison moved from The Mansions in July 1891 and a Mrs Prince, previously of Glencairn, Wickham Terrace advertised that she had leased:<ref name="qhr" /><ref name="history-25" /><blockquote>"the Hon. W Pattison's late residence, The Mansion, George Street' and would be "pleased to receive applications for Accommodation. The buildings are situated close to Parliament House and are therefore highly suited to members".</blockquote>In 1892 The Mansions housed a Mrs Probyn who resided in "The Grange" (possibly a boarding house) and which was replaced the following year by Elizabeth Bird's boarding house.<ref name="qhr" /><ref name="history-26" />
Between 1896 and 1954 The Mansions was used primarily as boarding houses, which operated under various names.<ref name="Look" /> Guests included professional families such as barrister and later [[University of Queensland]] Registrar [[Frank Cumbrae-Stewart]] and family from 1906, the Commissioner of Public Health [[John Simeon Colebrook Elkington]] and wife in 1912, District Court Judge [[Allan Wight McNaughton]] and electrical engineer William Muir Nelson.<ref name="history-27" /> Some doctors such as Arthur Benjamin Carvosso continued to practice from The Mansions.<ref name="qhr" /><ref name="history-28" />
Despite ownership of The Mansions changing a number of times, this did not result in changes of use. The property was transferred to the [[Queensland National Bank]] in August 1898 and was sold in 1912 to Gerard Ralph Gore and Christiana Gore, pastoralists on the [[Darling Downs]], in order to recoup the loan for its construction.<ref name="history-29" /> In 1925 the property was sold again but due to the owner's death quickly transferred to the Queensland Trustees. In 1947 the property was sold to three new owners, two of whom ran three boarding houses using the property's six villas. The boarding houses (from the [[Alice Street, Brisbane|Alice Street]] end) were named Lonsdale (24–26 George Street), Glenmore (28–30) and Binna Burra (32–44).<ref name="history-30" />
In 1954 The Mansions was offered at public auction, but passed in when the reserve was not reached.<ref name="qhr" /><ref name="history-31" />
Subsequently, the [[Queensland Government]] purchased the property for use as government offices as part of its acquisition of buildings in George Street under what was then officially known as the "George Street Plan".<ref name="history-32" /> A shortage of accommodation for administrative offices in State-owned buildings had been identified immediately after [[World War II]] when the Queensland Government began to expand their activities considerably in Brisbane city. Most public servants were then located in the [[Treasury Building, Brisbane|Treasury]] and [[Land Administration Building|Executive Buildings]] in George Street and in [[Anzac Square Building|offices in Anzac Square]]. The shortage of office accommodation in the [[Brisbane central business district]], and the need to address future requirements, led to a phase of governmental property acquisition in the city. The purchase of properties on George and William Streets between the [[Queensland Government Printing Office|Government Printing Office]] and Parliament House was a key focus, in addition to other acquisitions on [[Charlotte Street, Brisbane|Charlotte]], [[Mary Street, Brisbane|Mary]] and [[Margaret Street, Brisbane|Margaret]] Streets. Properties in [[William Street, Brisbane|William Street]] were purchased in 1946-1947 and the expenditure in 1954 on properties for this purpose in George, William and Margaret Streets, including The Mansions, was £60,500.<ref name="history-33" /> Despite their varying condition and former uses, many of these newly acquired buildings were quickly adapted for government use.<ref name="qhr" /><ref name="history-34" />
At this time the [[Department of Public Works (Queensland)|Department of Public Works]] prepared measured drawings of The Mansions.<ref name="history-35" /> "Lonsdale" and "Glenmore" were described as:<ref name="qhr" /><ref name="history-37"/><blockquote>"a three storey double brick building...conducted as a residential and compris[ing] 32 rooms, 16 of which are let as flatettes and 16 as serviced rooms".</blockquote>Linings and ceilings were plaster except at the top floor where ceilings were beaded pine. Floors were mainly pine. There were 10 fireplaces of which two were marble and the remainder "ornamental timber". There was one "set of 4 foot [1.2m] wide twin cedar staircases in excellent condition". Four bathrooms, two shower rooms, two laundries and six sewerage units served the property. The condition of the properties was considered to be fair. At the rear of the land, there were two double storey brick dormitories and a garage, which were of much inferior construction and finish to the main building.<ref name="qhr" /><ref name="history-37" />
Conversion of The Mansions into government offices cost £45,054. Drawings prepared for the conversion show that the general configuration of the houses was changed. Walls were removed, new doorways made, fireplaces blocked, internal partitions installed, concrete floors for toilets added and all stairs except one at the rear of no. 28-30 were removed or altered. Original details including [[Dado (architecture)|dado panelling]] in the halls and dining rooms, and [[leadlight]] [[sidelight]]s on the front doors were removed. Evidence of the original asymmetrical arrangement of [[bay window]]s at ground floor level was lost except in no. 24-26 and new load-bearing partitions were installed on the first and second floor levels above the dining rooms.<ref name="qhr" /><ref name="history-38" />
A range of government departments occupied The Mansions until the 1970s. The Government Statistician's Office was located on the ground floor from {{circa|1956}} and by 1961 the Medical boards, Licensing Commission, Prices Branch, Department of Public Works and Probation Office occupied the first floor. Replanning of the Medical boards' offices took place in 1967 and remodelling of the ground floor for the Comptroller-General of Prisons occurred in 1972.<ref name="qhr" /><ref name="history-39" />
The consolidation of government ownership and usage along George and William streets led to a number of schemes in being investigated by the state to further the development of a "government precinct". By 1965, a masterplan had been developed involving the demolition of all buildings between the Executive Building ([[Land Administration Building]]) and Parliament House, to enable the construction of three high-rise office buildings in a "plaza setting". In November 1965 the government announced the proposed demolition of its George Street office buildings. A new Executive Building was completed in 1971 as part of this plan (scheduled for demolition in 2017 as part of the [[Queen's Wharf, Brisbane|Queen's Wharf Redevelopment]]).<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/cbd-buildings-make-way-for-queens-wharf/news-story/bc83e216b76fe9dfc2fb181cb1f289ce|title=CBD buildings make way for Queen's Wharf|last=Vogler|first=Sarah|date=1 January 2017|work=[[The Courier-Mail]]|access-date=28 April 2017|quote=Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen’s brutalist-style George Street Executive building will be demolished brick by brick rather than in an explosive cloud of dust as it makes way for Brisbane’s new Queen’s Wharf redevelopment.}}</ref> However, by the early 1970s this plan for the precinct was considered no longer suitable and a number of other proposals for the area were explored.<ref name="qhr" /><ref name="history-40" />
A 1974 "George Street Masterplan" involved lower rise buildings spread out over greater areas and the demolition of the [[Bellevue Hotel, Brisbane|Bellevue Hotel]] and The Mansions. A major influence in ultimately shaping the layout of the area during the 1970s was the growing community support for the retention of older buildings within the government precinct. In 1973 the [[National Trust of Queensland]] began a public campaign to save both The Mansions and its next-door neighbour in George Street, the Bellevue Hotel, from demolition under the Queensland Government's "George Street Masterplan".<ref name="history-41" /> The campaign highlighted the government-related associations and links between buildings, their architectural qualities, and aesthetic contributions to the area in submissions to the government and in the public sphere. In 1973, a [[green ban]] was imposed on The Mansions by the [[Builders Labourers Federation]] to stop its destruction to make an office block, along with green bans on [[Queensland Club]] and [[Bellevue Hotel, Brisbane|Bellevue Hotel]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=Green Bans, Red Union: Environmental Activism and the New South Wales Builders Labourers' Federation|last=Burgmann|first=Verity and Meredith|year=1998|pages=52}}</ref> The unannounced June 1974 removal of the balconies of the Bellevue Hotel was a deliberate action by the Queensland Government to degrade the visual appearance of the area, and drew further attention to the conservation cause.<ref name="qhr" /><ref name="history-42" />
Ultimately the Bellevue Hotel was demolished in April 1979 after Cabinet adopted a recommended schedule of demolition work to further the development of the government precinct. The Bellevue Hotel was to be demolished, but The Mansions and the original section of Harris Terrace were to be retained, renovated and adapted. On 21 April, three days after this decision, the Bellevue Hotel was demolished in the early hours of the morning, a notorious event in the history of heritage conservation in Queensland causing a furore of public complaint.<ref name="qhr" /><ref name="history-43" />
The Mansions servants' wings and stables were demolished later in 1979 in accordance with the Cabinet decision.<ref name="Register" /><ref name="Minute">{{cite web|url=http://www.archives.qld.gov.au/Researchers/CommsDownloads/Documents/DID30208.pdf|title=Cabinet Minute|date=19 March 1979|publisher=Queensland State Archives|location=Brisbane|access-date=10 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140607003311/http://www.archives.qld.gov.au/Researchers/CommsDownloads/Documents/DID30208.pdf|archive-date=7 June 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="history-44" /> However, this did not cause a complete loss of the area to the rear of The Mansions, which may still reveal archaeological information about foundations and material culture related to servants' occupation of this area of the site.<ref name="qhr" />
Subsequently, several schemes were prepared for the reconstruction and conservation of The Mansions. Measured drawings of the remaining sections of the building were prepared and exteriors photographed. Plans for the renovations and alterations were prepared by Lund Hutton Ryan Architects in 1980 and in 1982 further plans for the restoration were prepared by [[Conrad and Gargett]] in association with the Department of Public Works. At this time it was reported that there were problems with [[Rising damp (structural)|rising damp]]; the existing roof framing was generally sound; none of the original staircases survived; all internal walls were plastered brick or [[plaster and lath]]e on timber framing; the few original ceilings on the ground and first floors were plaster and lathe while on the second floor they were [[tongue and groove]] pine; some original [[skirtings]], [[architrave]]s, [[cornice]]s and [[ceiling rose]]s remained; some original fire surrounds and grates survived; many original doors and windows survived but were in disrepair; and hardware had been changed.<ref name="qhr" /><ref name="history-45" />
A final renovation scheme was prepared then carried out in 1983-1984. This development removed most of the 1950s fit-out as well as removing original material, reconstructing features and adding new features such as a lift and air conditioning plant. A transverse corridor was created by enclosing parts of the rear courtyards in glass requiring reconfiguration of the rear verandahs. Stairs and toilets were installed in the second reception room at the ground floor level. Walls which formed the small front room at the first floor level were removed. All the ceilings and the remaining evidence of the original off centre bay layout of no. 24-26 at ground floor level and the surviving dining room fireplace in no. 40 were removed. Castings of ceiling roses were installed throughout the rooms. Most of the wall plaster was removed. Most door and window joinery was reconstructed. New stairs were constructed using detail and parts from the original but in a new configuration. The roof sheeting was replaced, new [[finials]] constructed and the rear verandahs rebuilt. New [[dormer window]]s at roof level were constructed facing south-west over the new rear verandahs. Most of the ground floor and second floor ceiling framing and some of the roof framing was replaced. All floors were re-laid with plywood and hearths removed, concrete slabs were laid in wet areas, [[Hold down (structural engineering)|tie downs]] were installed and new ceramic tile paving was laid on verandah floors.<ref name="qhr" /><ref name="history-46" />
On 28 April 1986 [[Premier of Queensland|Premier]] [[Joh Bjelke-Petersen]] officially opened the Government Precinct Development incorporating the State Works Centre, the renovated Harris Terrace and The Mansions. After the redevelopment, The Mansions housed a variety of professional offices and exclusive specialist retail stores. A restaurant also operated in the building.<ref name="qhr" /><ref name="history-49"/>
Since this refurbishment only minor alterations have occurred to the buildings, apart from updating of services and the provision of [[Disability access rights|disability access]]. A freestanding roof was constructed next to the south-east rear verandah of the house at the Alice Street end for the restaurant tenant in 1988.<ref name="qhr" /><ref name=history-48/>
In 1990 there was a proposal to sell The Mansions with the [[Port Office, Brisbane|Port Office]] and [[Smellie's Building|Smellies building]] but this did not proceed.<ref name="qhr" /><ref name="history-50" />
In 2002, the Mansions was featured in a television advertisement for the [[Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service]], which starred [[Steve Irwin]].
In 2005 timber decking and ramps were added in Queen's Place for access at the Alice Street end.<ref name="qhr" /><ref name="history-49" />
In 2015, it was announced that The Mansions would be restored and used as an up-market tea house, dining and bar, and serviced apartments as part of the Queen's Wharf Redevelopment.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://brisbanedevelopment.com/destination-brisbane-wins-queens-wharf-bid/|title=DESTINATION BRISBANE WINS QUEENS WHARF BID - BrisbaneDevelopment.com|last=Development|first=Brisbane|date=20 July 2015|work=BrisbaneDevelopment.com|access-date=27 April 2017|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710003301/https://brisbanedevelopment.com/destination-brisbane-wins-queens-wharf-bid/|archive-date=10 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Description ==
The Mansions is a three-storeyed brick and stone terrace on the corner of Margaret and George Street, Brisbane. The building stands in an urban context, on a high ridge of land, with open landscaped space behind and beside it. The precinct is dominated by mid-to-late nineteenth and early twentieth century state government-related buildings including the nearby [[Parliament House, Brisbane|Parliament House]], [[Queensland Club]], [[Harris Terrace, Brisbane|Harris Terrace]], the former [[Government Printing Office]], former [[Land Administration Building]], and the former [[Treasury Building, Brisbane|Treasury Building]]. It makes a strong contribution to the George and Margaret Streets streetscapes as a prominent, decorative and striking form.<ref name=qhr/>
The Mansions is a face brick structure with limestone dressings and a painted corrugated steel roof. It sits back slightly from the George Street alignment behind a brick pier fence with [[wrought iron]] panels. However, it is built to the Margaret Street alignment. The building is visibly separated into six houses unified by the [[facade]] - a deep [[Arcade (architecture)|arcade]] of arches on the ground and first floors along both street fronts. The second floor is partially incorporated within the roof space behind a decorative [[parapet]]. Each house has an octagonal [[Bay (architecture)|bay]] projecting onto the arcade on both levels that is carried through onto the roof as a multi-faced [[Hip roof|hip]] perpendicular to the main roof. Although fully cohesive, the design is perceptibly five houses facing George Street that are mirrors of each other in plan with a sixth house, on the corner, primarily facing Margaret Street that is of an individual layout and superior scale. The sixth house has two octagonal bays and they are larger and project fully to the street alignment. The entrance to the sixth house is from Margaret Street.<ref name=qhr/>
The building is designed in a [[Victorian architecture|Victorian style]] with [[Italianate architecture|Italianate influences]]. The arcade is decoratively treated. Short [[cast iron]] colonettes (thin columns) have [[Ionic order]] [[Capital (architecture)|capitals]] incorporating [[garland]] [[Window valance|swags]], carved limestone panels, and entrances accentuated by triangular [[pediment]]s. Two sculpted limestone cats sit atop the parapet of the George Street facade.<ref name=qhr/> The white details and cat sculptures were rendered in [[Oamaru limestone]] imported from New Zealand.<ref name="bbh">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4IqhcQAACAAJ|title=Building Brisbane's History: Structure, Sculptures, Stories and Secrets|last=Gregory|first=Helen|publisher=Woodslane Press|year=2010|isbn=9781921606199|location=Warriewood, New South Wales|page=4|author2=Dianne Mclay|access-date=17 March 2013}}</ref>
Wings with timber [[veranda]]hs on their ground and first floors extend off the rear and are separated by [[courtyard]]s. Rear walls feature cement render indicating the profile of demolished service wings.<ref name=qhr/>
The interior of the building is considerably altered. Room layouts indicate original separate tenancies but openings in the party walls now connect them. Fittings, though ornate, are reproductions and [[suspended ceiling]]s conceal air-conditioning ducts. A [[Elevator|lift]] and other modern facilities are also installed.<ref name=qhr/>
== Heritage listing ==
The Mansions was listed on the [[Queensland Heritage Register]] on 21 August 1992 having satisfied the following criteria.<ref name=qhr/>
'''The place is important in demonstrating the evolution or pattern of Queensland's history.'''
The Mansions (1889) is important in demonstrating the evolution of urban development in colonial Queensland as a result of the 1880s land boom, especially in the capital city Brisbane.<ref name=qhr/>
It demonstrates the pattern of development of the Brisbane CBD with lower George Street as a prestigious residential area associated with parliament and the site of professional offices from the 1860s. The Mansions is a distinctive example of this residential development of lower George Street.<ref name=qhr/>
It also demonstrates, through its purchase and refit for government offices, the development of lower George Street as a government office precinct post World War II.<ref name=qhr/>
The survival of The Mansions, despite 1960s plans for its demolition, demonstrates how increased public concern about the preservation of heritage buildings influenced government redevelopment plans during the 1970s and 1980s.<ref name=qhr/>
'''The place demonstrates rare, uncommon or endangered aspects of Queensland's cultural heritage.'''
The Mansions demonstrates nineteenth century terraced housing - a form of housing, which was uncommon and is now rare in Queensland. The building is a distinctive and exceptional example of prestigious, late nineteenth century terraced housing.<ref name=qhr/>
'''The place has potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of Queensland's history.'''
The Mansions has potential to contribute to a greater understanding of Queensland's history. Potential exists at the rear of The Mansions for archaeological materials including footings and foundations associated with the former servants' and kitchen wings, and objects and refuse commonly found within domestic contexts, particularly ceramic, glass and personal items.<ref name=qhr/>
'''The place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a particular class of cultural places.'''
The Mansions is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of late nineteenth century, terraced housing. Defining elements of this style of housing include its shared dividing walls, repetition of form and linear house plan. Comprising six residences, the building is a fine and rare Queensland example of prestigious, late nineteenth century terrace housing and exemplifies the urban lifestyle experienced by affluent Queenslanders of this period.<ref name=qhr/>
The Mansions are also an excellent example of the work of George Henry Male Addison, a designer who made an important contribution to Queensland's built environment. Stylistically these highly finished and ornate terrace houses are unlike any others in Queensland but are characteristic of Addison's work as an accomplished designer achieving maximum effect with roof form and face brickwork relieved with stone detailing.<ref name=qhr/>
'''The place is important because of its aesthetic significance.'''
The Mansions is important for its architectural attributes. The skilful and complex composition of face brickwork, stone detailing, shady arcaded verandahs, integrated gardens and fencing, and complex roof form are of aesthetic beauty and make a strong contribution to the George and Margaret Streets streetscape and to the government precinct in George and William Streets.<ref name=qhr/>
'''The place has a strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group for social, cultural or spiritual reasons.'''
The Mansions has a strong association for its cultural heritage significance with Queenslanders concerned about heritage issues. It was the focus of the National Trust of Queensland's campaign to save the Belle Vue Hotel and The Mansions during the 1970s, which had wide public support and resulted in The Mansions not being demolished. Newspaper, film, magazine and journal articles from the period demonstrate this association.<ref name=qhr/>
==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:The_Mansions_4.jpg|The Mansions &mdash; George Street façade
Image:Cat-on-the-Roof.jpg|Cat sculpture on the parapet of the Mansions &mdash; Margaret Street façade
Image:The-Mansions-and-Parliament-House.jpg|The Mansions and Parliament House
Image:The_Mansions.jpg|The Mansions &mdash; George Street façade
Image:Mansions-Brisbane.jpg|The Mansions (as viewed from Alice Street) &mdash; George Street façade
</gallery>
== References ==
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name=history-1>Allom Lovell Architects, 'Harris Terrace: A Conservation Plan for
the Department of Public Works', 2002, p. 3.</ref>
<ref name=history-2>Allom Lovell Architects, 'Harris Terrace', p. 3.</ref>
<ref name="history-4">Allom Lovell Architects, 'Harris Terrace', p. 8.</ref>
<ref name=history-4>Allom Lovell Architects, 'Harris Terrace', p. 8.</ref>
<ref name=history-6>Titles search cited by Jinx Miles, The Mansions Conservation Plan,
Department of Public Works, 2009, p. 3.</ref>
<ref name=history-7>Titles cited by Miles, The Mansions Conservation Plan, p. 4.</ref>
<ref name=history-10>Obituaries Australia, Stevenson, John (1843-1912) @
http://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/Stevenson-john-934 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170519154429/http://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/stevenson-john-934 |date=19 May 2017 }} accessed 20 August 2012.</ref>
<ref name=history-11>Allom Lovell Marquis-Kyle, Old Museum Building Conservation
Study, 1989, p.50.</ref>
<ref name=history-12>The Queenslander, 16 July 1898, p. 118.</ref>
<ref name=history-13>Brisbane Courier, 29 September 1888, p. 11; Miles, The Mansions
Conservation Plan, p. 7.</ref>
<ref name=history-14>Brisbane Courier, 20 October 1888, p. 8.</ref>
<ref name="history-21">The Boomerang, 30 November 1899, p. 8 cited by Miles, The Mansions
Conservation Plan, p. 7.</ref>
<ref name=history-16>Building and Engineering Journal of Australia, 8 March 1890 cited
by Miles, The Mansions Conservation Plan, p. 11.</ref>
<ref name=history-17>Jeanette Davis, Planning legislation and practice in Queensland:
Swings or roundabouts?, Southern Downs Regional Council 11 July 2011,
p. 1; Miles, The Mansions Conservation Plan, p. 6.</ref>
<ref name=history-18>Steve Woolcock and Rod Fisher, Petrie Terrace Brisbane 1858–1988:
'Its ups and downs', NTQ, Brisbane, 1988, pp. 14, 30; Miles, The
Mansions Conservation Plan, p. 50.</ref>
<ref name=history-19>Ronald Lawson, Brisbane in the 1890s: A Study of an Australian
Urban Society, UQP, St Lucia, Qld, 1987rpt, p. 38; Glen Lewis, A
History of the Ports of Queensland: A Study in Economic Nationalism,
UQP, St Lucia Qld, 1973, p. 81.</ref>
<ref name=history-20>Lawson, Brisbane in the 1890s, pp. 38-9.</ref>
<ref name=history-21>The Boomerang, 30 November 1899, p. 8 cited by Miles, The Mansions
Conservation Plan, p. 7.</ref>
<ref name=history-22>Brisbane Courier, 8 January 1890, p. 8; The Boomerang, 8 February 1890, p.
7 cited by Miles, The Mansions Conservation Plan, p. 9.</ref>
<ref name=history-23>QPOD 1891.</ref>
<ref name=history-24>Miles, The Mansions Conservation Plan, p. 9; QPOD 1892, 1892-3,
1893, 1894-5, 1895-6; 1896-7, 1897–99, 1900.</ref>
<ref name=history-25>The Boomerang, 2 July 1891 cited by Miles, The Mansions
Conservation Plan, p. 8.</ref>
<ref name=history-26>Miles, The Mansions Conservation Plan, p. 9.</ref>
<ref name=history-27>Jean Stewart, Scribblers: A Ladies Literary Society in Brisbane
1911, D & J Stewart, Brisbane, 2007, pp. 127, 22 cited by Miles, The
Mansions Conservation Plan, p. 14.</ref>
<ref name=history-28>QPOD 1897-1900.</ref>
<ref name=history-29>Titles cited by Miles, The Mansions Conservation Plan, pp. 10,
14.</ref>
<ref name=history-30>Miles, The Mansions Conservation Plan, p. 16.</ref>
<ref name=history-31>Miles, The Mansions Conservation Plan, p. 17; Brisbane Courier,
11 May 1954, p. 3.</ref>
<ref name=history-32>Brisbane Courier, 11 May 1954, p. 3.</ref>
<ref name=history-33>Department of Public Works Annual Report 1954, p. 7.</ref>
<ref name=history-34>Allom Lovell Architects, 'Harris Terrace', p. 12.</ref>
<ref name=history-35>Only one of which remains - e-plan 15035284 cited by Miles, The
Mansions Conservation Plan, p. 18.</ref>
<ref name="history-37">Department of Public Works Report cited by Miles, The Mansions
Conservation Plan, p. 18.</ref>
<ref name=history-37>Department of Public Works Report cited by Miles, The Mansions
Conservation Plan, p. 18.</ref>
<ref name=history-38>Department of Public Works Drawings cited by Miles, The Mansions
Conservation Plan, p. 19.</ref>
<ref name=history-39>E-plan reference 15035372 cited by Miles, The Mansions
Conservation Plan, p. 21; Department of Works Annual Report 1978 cited
by Miles, The Mansions Conservation Plan, p. 21.</ref>
<ref name=history-40>Allom Lovell Architects, 'Harris Terrace', pp. 15-6.</ref>
<ref name=history-41>National Trust Journal, July-Aug 1976, p. 18, May 1977, pp.
19-20; National Trust of Queensland, Statement on The George Street
Precinct, NTQ, Brisbane, c1974; NTQ file, The Mansions 1/72
correspondence to various ministers and MLAs, 1973–79; letter from
Brendan Butler, Secretary, Culture, National Parks and Recreation
Policy Committee, ALP to Director, NTQ, 26 June 1973; 'Plan to Save
the Old Belle Vue', The Australian Women's Weekly, 23 January 1974, pp.
88-9.</ref>
<ref name=history-42>Allom Lovell Architects, 'Harris Terrace', p. 16; NTQ files 1/71
and 1/72.</ref>
<ref name=history-43>Queensland State Archives Item ID406637, Minutes - Cabinet;
Courier-Mail 21 April 1979, p.1,3; for development of Queensland
heritage legislation see Rod Fisher, 'Nocturnal Demolitions: The Long
March Towards Heritage Legislation in Queensland', in Packaging the
Past - Public Histories, eds John Rickard & Peter Spearitt, Australian
Historical Studies 24(96), April 1991, pp 55-69; NTQ files 1/71 and
1/72 correspondence to various ministers and MLAs, 1973–79; Letters to
the Editor, The Courier-Mail, April 1979.</ref>
<ref name=history-44>Department of Public Works Annual Report 1980 cited by Miles, The
Mansions Conservation Plan, pp. 21-2;</ref>
<ref name=history-45>Miles, The Mansions Conservation Plan, p. 23.</ref>
<ref name=history-46>Miles, The Mansions Conservation Plan, p. 29.</ref>
<ref name="history-49">Miles, The Mansions Conservation Plan, p. 30.</ref>
<ref name=history-48>Department of Public Works batch card cited by Miles, The
Mansions Conservation Plan, p. 30.</ref>
<ref name=history-49>Miles, The Mansions Conservation Plan, p. 30.</ref>
<ref name=history-50>The Courier Mail, 17 December 1990.</ref>
}}
=== Attribution ===
{{QHR-CC-2014}}
==External links==
{{commons category-inline|The Mansions, Brisbane}}
{{Brisbane landmarks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mansions, Brisbane}}
[[Category:Queensland Heritage Register]]
[[Category:Heritage of Brisbane]]
[[Category:George Street, Brisbane]]
[[Category:Margaret Street, Brisbane]]
[[Category:1889 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:Houses completed in 1889]]
[[Category:Houses in Brisbane]]
[[Category:Articles incorporating text from the Queensland Heritage Register]]
[[Category:Green bans]]