GSA Guide - Old Administration Building (1899-1901, 1901-1905) Claimed

The Executive Council and Cabinet of Queensland met in this building from 1905 to 1971. At this time it also housed the offices of the Premier. The strong ANZAC tradition started here with a message from King George V read from this building in 1916.

History:

This four-story building was designed by Queensland Government’s chief architect, Thomas Pye in the Edwardian Baroque style. It represents the first major Edwardian Baroque building built in Australia and it is the finest example of this style in Queensland.

Foundation preparation work commenced in 1899 and the main construction commenced in 1901 and was completed in 1905.

The two upper floors feature a double-height deep-set colonnade, similar to that of the State Library, but with the use of Ionic capitals to the columns. Some interesting features are the sculpture on the Queens Park facade which shows the date of 1903, although the building was not opened until 1905.

An unusual window and column design is featured on the William Street facade which has been noted to be of similar design as of that at the Naval Office in Edward Street.

The regular alternating box and cylindrical column cut is