GSA Guide – Parliament House (built 1865-68; 1878, completed 1891) Claimed
Gallery
URPoint Details
Bounded by George and Alice Streets, Parliament House sits opposite City Botanic Gardens, adjoining QUT Gardens Point Campus. This URP is provided by members of the Geological Society of Australia as a geo-located community knowledge service.
THE DISCOVERY OF GOLD at Gympie saved the financial state of the Colonies’ (now known as Queensland) treasury after the depression of 1866, which put a hold to the construction of all Government buildings like Parliament House.
On the 4th of August 1868, Parliament convened for the first time on these premises. The building remains the seat of the Queensland Parliament to this day.
History
After Queensland separated from New South Wales in 1859, the Parliament met in the former convict barracks in Queen Street. Four years after laying the foundation stone in 1864, the Queensland Parliament building was opened.
The colonial architect Charles Tiffin was awarded the commission with his unusual imitation of a French Renaissance style building, featuring high mansard roofs. Construction continued, delayed by financial constraints, on the colonnades (completed in 1878) and on the Alice Street frontage (completed in 1891).
The colonnade was designed by F.D.G Stanley. It was to facilitate sun control at the front of the building, but was initially deleted for reasons of economy. It was eventually built by John Petrie in 1878 of sandstone from Murphy’s Creek.
The western wing,
- Type:
- History, Landmark
- Establishment year:
- 1865