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Colonial Mutual Chambers

Colonial Mutual Chambers
62 Queen Street (2008).jpg
Former Colonial Mutual Chambers (upper facade), 2008
Location 62 Queen Street, Brisbane City, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Coordinates 27°28′13″S 153°01′26″E / 27.4704°S 153.0238°E / -27.4704; 153.0238Coordinates: 27°28′13″S 153°01′26″E / 27.4704°S 153.0238°E / -27.4704; 153.0238
Design period 1870s - 1890s (late 19th century)
Built 1883
Built for Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society
Architect Richard Gailey
Architectural style(s) Gothic
Official name: 62 Queen Street, Colonial Mutual Chambers, Sussans Building
Type state heritage (built)
Designated 21 August 1992
Reference no. 600160
Significant period 1883 (fabric)
1883-1906 (historical)
Builders W McPark
Colonial Mutual Chambers is located in Queensland
Colonial Mutual Chambers
Location of Colonial Mutual Chambers in Queensland
Colonial Mutual Chambers is located in Australia
Colonial Mutual Chambers
Location of Colonial Mutual Chambers in Queensland

Colonial Mutual Chambers is a heritage-listed office building at 62 Queen Street, Brisbane City, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Richard Gailey and built in 1883 by W McPark. It is also known as Sussans Building. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 August 1992.

This building was erected in 1883 for the Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society who had acquired the site two years previously for £3,140.

The allotment was part of a larger site that previously contained buildings which were erected during the period Moreton Bay was a penal settlement. A government decision to demolish several convict era buildings, and to dispose of the crown land, gave impetus to the commercial redevelopment of the western side of Queen Street.

The building was designed by Richard Gailey and the contractor was W McPark. Gailey was responsible for the design of many of the commercial buildings in Brisbane during the 1880s that were characterised by Classical idioms and details, however in this building, he employed Gothic motifs. Sir Thomas McIlwraith, an early director of the company, laid the foundation stone in September 1883.

The Society occupied most of the building, which became known as the Colonial Mutual Chambers, and leased out the remaining floorspace. In 1906 Colonial Mutual moved its headquarters, but retained ownership of the building and continued to lease the premises. It was purchased in 1936 by the Carnegie family, dealers in quality musical instruments, and remained in the family until 1972. Since the 1960s the building has been used for offices on the upper levels and retail outlets on the ground floor.

A spire with flag pole and the lower sections of the flanking turrets have been removed. The skyline has been further altered by the removal of the attic rooms and the line of chimneys that rose above the wall adjoining the old Town Hall.

Colonial Mutual Chambers is a three storeyed rendered brick building with basement.


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