This heritage listed building was constructed in 1882-83 as a warehouse for William Mooney, a Brisbane tobacconist. The building is culturally significant as a fine example of a warehouse in central Brisbane from the late 19th century. The client’s brief was to create a workplace for 65 staff, plus client interface areas that would cater for functions, meetings and seminars. The concept was to locate the public areas in the basement with two levels of offices above. A light well, new entry stairs and a lift provide physical and social connections between the three levels. While designing the interior to function effectively as a modern office, a great deal of care has been taken to preserve its cultural heritage significance. Architectural elements like the porphyry walls, the Italianate façade, the roof framing and the ironbark beams and columns, were preserved and, where possible, highlighted.
The project was completed in 2006. It won the 2007 RAIA State Award for Interior Architecture and the 2007 RAIA State Award for Heritage Architecture.
Photography: Jon Linkins
