Supreme Court, Brisbane

Erected in George Street on the site of the early Brisbane Hospital, this magnificent building was commenced in 1876 and officially opened on 6 March 1879. An arsonist set fire to the building on 1 September 1968, and much of the structure was destroyed. The surviving parts of the building were demolished in October 1976, prior to the construction of the new law courts complex.

The Supreme Court taken from the George Street entrance in about 1889 [John Oxley Library neg. 171908]

The site chosen for the new Supreme Court building in the 1870s was one originally occupied by the old convict hospital and surgeon's quarters on North Quay.

The original plans prepared by the Colonial Architect, provided for a 'T' shaped building in the Italianate style as this was deemed to be suitable for the climate and also financially attainable. The original design of 1874 was for an extensive and magnificent edifice, however it would have cost double the amount set aside for the court, so the plans were modified. John Petrie was awarded the contract in 1875 and the building was opened in March 1879.

The building lasted a little under a century, as in the 1960s, it was decided to demolish this architecturally significant building, and to replace it with modern multistory erections. The end of the old Supreme Court was hastened by a fire lit by an arsonist in 1968, making it an easy decision to demolish what remained.

 [Historical Sketches of Brisbane, J.H.C. McClurg, Library Board of Queensland and Royal Historical Society of Queensland, 1975] 

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Last updated: 31st March 2008