GSA Guide - State Government Savings Bank Claimed

State Government Savings Bank

Even though this building never housed a bank, it was originally built for the State Government Savings Bank, an institution taken over by the Commonwealth Bank in 1920. This building has probably seen the highest number of name changes in the Brisbane CBD.

History: 

Brisbane's first government high-rise offices (eight story), formerly known as Queensland Government Savings Bank, were constructed over a seven year period from 1913 as the headquarters for the Queensland Government Savings Bank (QGSB). It was built in the commercial renaissance style typical of the time with an imposing sandstone facade. However, the building was never occupied by that institution because the State Government transferred the bank's accounts and assets to the Commonwealth Bank at the end of 1920 and the QGSB ceased to exist.

The building was then occupied by the State Government Insurance Office in 1922 (A mosaic mural still shows the Government Insurance Crest on the floor of the corner entrance). Other government tenants at the time were the State Land Tax Office, the State Industrial Arbitration Court, the Public Service Commissioner, the Public Curator and the Main Roads Board. From