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 known as 'butterbox' columns. Comparable columns were used in the War Office building in Whitehall, London. The broken arch entrance to George Street is also a classic detail for Edwardian Baroque style architecture.

Of particular interest are the sculpture and stained glass works in both entrances. A marble plaque in the George Street vestibule displays a message from King George V on 25 April 1916 commemorating the first anniversary of the Gallipoli landing. The King's message on this plaque to the people on the 25th April 1916 established the ANZAC Day tradition.

The Executive Building, as it was known prior to 1971, was opened in 1905 containing the offices for the Queensland Premier, the Executive Council and Cabinet from 1905 to 1971, although it had been intended that the building would house the Lands and Survey Department. They finally became tenants of the building in 1971.

The building then became known as the Lands Administration Building (LAB). The building is now the Conrad Treasury Hotel leased by Jupiters Limited to service the patrons of the Treasury Casino.

For this purpose, the building was converted and totally refurbished in 1995 by architects Malone Buchan. The LAB bar and Restaurant is located in the basement.

Building Stones:

The two-story basement, with the principal elevation of the building towards Queens Gardens, supports a colonnade of giant Ionic columns made from Yangan sandstone Formation: Marburg Subgroup from near Warwick.

Granite used as the base course and plinth comprises Enoggera Granite (light grey) and Karana Quartz Diorite from Mount Crosby (dark grey). The main structure comprises brown freestone derived from Helidon Sandstone (Formation: Woogaroo Subgroup - Wrights Quarries). Noteworthy is the ornamentation which is not confined to the facade. 

Queensland timbers were exclusively used for the joinery, namingly maple, cedar, black bean and silky oak. The ceilings are finished with fibrous plaster incorporating bagasse, a sugar cane by-product.

Architect - Thomas Pye, Malone Buchan (1995 refurbishment)

Builder - Department of Public Works