General Post Office, Brisbane

General Post Office
General Post Office, Brisbane, 2015
Alternative names	GPO
General information
Type	Post Office
Architectural style	Neoclassical architecture
Location	Brisbane central business district
Address	261 Queen Street, Brisbane
Current tenants	Australia Post
Construction started	1871
Inaugurated	28 September 1872
Owner	Australia Post
Height	50 feet (15 m)
Technical details
Structural system	Brick and stone
Floor count	2
Design and construction
Architect	F. G. D. Stanley
Main contractor	John Petrie
References
General Post Office History

The General Post Office (abbreviated: GPO) in Brisbane, Queensland, in Australia is a heritage-listed post office located at 261 Queen Street in 1872 and extended through to Elizabeth Street in 1908. It is still in use by Australia Post. Opposite the GPO building is Post Office Square.

The first full-time postmaster in Brisbane was J. E. Barney in 1852. In 1862, the first Postmaster-General for the state of Queensland Thomas Lodge Murray Prior was appointed. A small convict era building was used as for postal services but was too far from the telegraph office. The Postmaster-General choose a half hectare site which was centrally located.

The building already located at the Queen Street site which once hosted women convicts was demolished in 1871.Freestone and bricks were sourced from local materials. The GPO was opened on 28 September 1872. In 1873, the Queensland Museum was housed in the General Post Office building, but moved in 1879 to the William Street building. In the same year a second wing, which was constructed by John Petrie was completed which allowed the telegraph office to move to the building, pleasing business customers.

The building features deep verandahs and high ceilings. A clock mounted in the pediment positioned above the main entrance was once illuminated by a gas powered light. It was replaced by a smaller, electric clock. The first typewriter to be used in any post office in any Australian city was used at the GPO in 1892. Stamps and money orders were once available to customers outside the building via windows are now closed.

The building has been listed on the Brisbane City Council Heritage Register.

view of ANZAC Square, Post Office Square and the General Post Office, as seen from the Sofitel Hotel