Central Buildings

Historic site in Queensland, Australia

Central Buildings

Central Buildings, 2017

Location| 327 Honour Avenue, Graceville, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Coordinates| 27°31′15″S 152°58′32″E﻿ / ﻿27.5207°S 152.9755°E﻿ / -27.5207; 152.9755
Built| circa 1924
Architectural style(s)| Art Deco

Brisbane Heritage Register

Official name| Central Buildings
Type| Retailing - Shop/s
Reference no.| 745
Builders| Walter Taylor

Location of Central Buildings in Queensland

The Central Buildings are a heritage-listed series of six shops[1] located at 327 Honour Avenue, Graceville, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. They are located between Verney Road West and Rakeevan Road. They are listed on the Brisbane Heritage Register.[2]

## History[edit]

The Central Buildings were constructed in 1924 [3] by local visionary Walter Taylor, a contractor who lived in Graceville.

The buildings are a single story structure constructed of Walter Taylor's signature concrete and demonstrate an art deco suburban commercial premises.[2]

Former Bulk Store now used as a garage

The "Bulk Store" is located on the Rakeevan Street side of the complex and is now used as a garage. Walter Taylor designed and built this to house his office.[4] The front of the building on the side nearest the Graceville railway station contained his desk and the other side had drafting boards and plans. An extensive warehouse was located at the back with a large work bench the full length of the building.[5]

The Indooroopilly Toll Bridge company had their office in the Central Buildings[6][7] while they gathered investors to construct the Indooroopilly Toll Bridge (later to be renamed the Walter Taylor Bridge).[8]

## Heritage listing[edit]

The Central Buildings were listed on the Brisbane Heritage Register, as they:[2]

* demonstrate the historical commercial development in Graceville
* demonstrate the principal characteristics of a larger suburban interwar commercial premises
* demonstrate the Art Deco style in commercial buildings
* have associations with Walter Taylor, a significant local builder

## References[edit]

1. ^ "GRACEVILLE'S PROGRESS". The Brisbane Courier. No. 20, 697. Queensland, Australia. 24 May 1924. p. 17. Retrieved 23 October 2017 - via National Library of Australia.
2. ^ a b c "Central Buildings". Brisbane Heritage Register. Brisbane City Council. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
3. ^ "Graceville Railway Station (entry 602717)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
4. ^ "Classified Advertising". The Courier-mail. No. 33\. Queensland, Australia. 4 October 1933. p. 2. Retrieved 25 October 2017 - via National Library of Australia.
5. ^ Davis, Noel; Cook, Margaret; Fones, Ralph; Oxley-Chelmer History Group (2011), The remarkable Walter Taylor, Oxley-Chelmer History Group Inc, p. 37, ISBN 978-0-9751466-3-7
6. ^ "Advertising". The Brisbane Courier. No. 23, 544. Queensland, Australia. 17 July 1933. p. 3. Retrieved 25 October 2017 - via National Library of Australia.
7. ^ "Advertising". The Brisbane Courier. No. 23, 510. Queensland, Australia. 7 June 1933. p. 19. Retrieved 25 October 2017 - via National Library of Australia.
8. ^ Brisbane Past and Present: Walter Taylor Bridge