How to see Brisbane "Behind the Scenes"
If you’ve always wanted to get behind the scenes and see Brisbane like you’ve never have, then Brisbane Open House on the weekend of Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th of October is your chance. Celebrating ten years of “unlocking” the city, this is a free event held on World Architecture day, where selected buildings old and new are open to the public. Discover the history, and open your minds to spaces and good designs.
This is our pick of 10 buildings you could make time for:
Home to the original Port Master of Brisbane, this 155 year old historic property is one of the most iconic and oldest properties in inner Brisbane. Lovingly restored in 2014 by the Vecchio family, Hanworth House provides accommodation options for women as well as the site of many charitable events.
Where: 109 LYTTON ROAD, EAST BRISBANE
Image Credit: Hanworth House
Originally built in 1890, Old Mineral house is one of the few remaining Victorian Buildings in Brisbane. Cox Brisbane Studio is welcoming the public for self guided tours to discover the city’s industrial heritage.
When: LEVEL 2, 2 EDWARD STREET, BRISBANE CITY
Image Credit: @coxarchitecture Instagram
3. Queensland Theatre
Queensland Theatre is thrilled to open its doors for Brisbane Open House and you are invited to view the Company's performance spaces, including the Diane Cilento Studio and the Bille Brown Theatre among a variety of other activities. Guided behind the scenes tours will occur at: 10:00am, 11:00am, 2:00pm and 3:00pm on the day. Drop by from 12:00pm to view performance excerpts from the Young Artists' Performance Ensemble’s show The Secret Garden adapted by Kathryn Marquet and created in collaboration with Dead Puppet Society. This is your opportunity to see Queensland Theatre’s phenomenal Young Artists take the stage and learn about the process behind their performance.
Where: 78 MONTAGUE ROAD, SOUTH BRISBANE
Image Credit: @conradgargett Instagram
4. 25 King Street, Bowen Hills
Aurecon and Lendlease have brought to life the tallest and largest* engineered-timber office building in Australia (*by gross floor area). Engineered timber provides an environmentally friendly alternative to concrete and steel, with a lower carbon footprint that creates a connection with nature to promote a sense of well-being. Aurecon’s tenancy celebrates timber and creates a contemporary and creative studio environment. Creating spaces where people want to spend time and engage with others, inevitably leads to a more collaborative and innovative workforce.
Where: 25 KING STREET, BOWEN HILLS
Image Credit: Aurecon
Fast becoming an icon at Brisbane’s Southbank, Covering 15,000m2, the building contains specialist radio and television spaces and a 600m2 Media Production Studio, which is also a rehearsal studio for the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. Discover how stories are produced when you unlock this building for Brisbane Open House.
Where: 114 GREY STREET (CNR GREY STREET AND RUSSELL STREET), SOUTH BRISBANE
Image Credit: Wikipedia
The Queensland Maritime Museum was founded in 1971 and is run by a self-funded voluntary Association. It is situated on the banks of the Brisbane River at the southern end of South Bank Parklands. The Museum contains extensive collections of historical maritime artifacts, books, documents and photographs. The collection is displayed to the public in the galleries and grounds of the Museum under the broad headings of Navigation, Lighthouses, Ship Models, Marine Engines, Vessels, and the Dry Dock.
Where: 412 STANLEY STREET, SOUTH BRISBANE
Image Credit: @melbourne_dad Instagram
7. South Brisbane Municipal Chambers / Somerville House
Listed as number five on the South Brisbane Heritage Trail, this building is rich in history. Described in 1892 for it’s opening as ‘one of the most ornate and elegant buildings in the city’. For years the building was widely known as the South Brisbane Town Hall and over time it has passed through many hands. These days, it is home to Under the Clock cafe.
Where: CORNER GRAHAM AND VULTURE STREETS, South Bank
Image Credit: @undertheclockcafe Instagram
‘Fernberg’ was one of the first houses built in Brisbane’s Paddington area and since 1910, has been the home and workplace of Queensland Governors. As a heritage-listed, State-owned residence surrounded by 14 hectares of Estate, it is an important Queensland landmark steeped in historical, cultural and environmental significance.
Where: 168 FERNBERG ROAD, PADDINGTON
Image Credit: @baysidefirestation Instagram
The centre is a heritage-listed masonic temple at 311 Ann Street, Brisbane City, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Lange Leopold Powell of Atkinson, Powell and Conrad and was built from 1928 to 1930 by George Alexander Stronach & Son. It is also known as the Masonic Memorial Temple. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.
Where: 311 ANN STREET, BRISBANE
Image Credit: Wikipedia
10. All Hallows Convent, Adderton: House and Heart of Mercy
Situated within the All Hallows’ Convent, Adderton: house & heart of mercy overlooks the Brisbane River, with expansive views of the Story Bridge. Adderton—renamed in 1863 as the Convent of Our Lady of Mercy, All Hallows’—has been at the heart of the Sisters of Mercy’s work in Brisbane since 1863.
Where: 547 ANN ST, BRISBANE CITY
Image Credit: Wilson Architects
More to be found at Brisbane Open House