In the 1960s, the Queensland Government proposed and planned a Government Precinct development between George and William Streets, including a new Executive Building. They had engaged international and Australian architects, with the proposal finalised in October 1965. The new Executive Building was designed to accommodate more than 2, 000 public servants.
A senior architect at the time wrote, "The building with its shaded windows, deep shadowed walkways and exposed columns will express the sub-tropical Brisbane climate and contrast with the unsuitable glass boxes of the past decade".
The Hon. Joh Bjelke-Peterson MP, then Minister of Works and Housing, issues a press release in October 1965 outlining the structure of the building., summarising the construction materials: The external columns, clad with architectural bronze sheeting would emphasis the verticality and add graceful dignity in keeping with the Executive and Treasury Buildings. The facade walls and beams would be faced with precast, exposed selected aggregate concrete panels. The main walls of the building were to be set back from the facade to provide sun shading to walls and windows and to and from walkways for maintenance and cleaning.
The government intended that this planning would provide considerable savings in air conditioning and window design.
Queensland copper was specified for roofing, guttering and piping and other local materials were used throughout the building. Only those not obtainable or not manufactured in Queensland, such as steel, were obtained from other States. Fine Queensland rimbers were selected for ground floor panelling, counters and fittings.
In October 1967, the tender for construction of the new Executive Building was awarded to EA Watts Pty Ltd for a cost of $7 million The contract was signed by 14 March 1968.
Detailed plans for the building which comprised 15 storeys and a ground floor were developed by the Department of Works in association with architects, Conrad Gargett and Partners.
A three level basement was built thirty feet below ground into solid Brisbane schist. This enabled ready adaption as radiation fall-out shelters if needed. The air-conditioned building covered a floor area of 400, 000 square feet (nearly 122, 000 sqm) and had eight lifts. It featured reinforced concrete and structural core housing stairs, lifts, services, etc. which acted as a spine to stabilise the surrounding floors and walls.
Pre-oxidised bronze was used for columns and services tower and doors and window frames were made of anodised aluminium. Offices were fitted with acoustic metal tile ceilings.
On the ground floor, Ulam Marble, a famed Queensland material, was split to expose its large crystalline structure. The marble was highlighted by special lighting in the coffered ceilings.
The furniture was mostly made of brown Quadong veneer with the Department of Works' Ipswich Road workshops manufacturing prototype tables for Ministers, Director Generals, Assistant Director Generals, Branch and Section Heads.
The building was officially opened on 27 April 1971 by the Hon. Sir Joh Bjelke-Peterson, Premier of Queensland. The first meeting of the Queensland Cabinet in the new Executive Building took place on the 13th floor on the same day.
At the time of opening:
At the time of opening, the Executive Building housed six departments: Premier's Department; Treasury Department; Coordinator-General's Department; Public Services Board; Auditor-General's Department; and the Department of Works.
A cafeteria and recreation amenities were located on the 15th floor. During the Commission of Inquiry into Possible Illegal Activities and Associate Police Misconduct (known as the Fitzgerald Inquiry), Inquiry offices were located in the Executive Building.
Executive Building was not without incident:
On 19 November 1975, a letter-bomb exploded on the 14th floor and two officers of the Premier's Department were injured. The parcel was addressed to the Hon. J. Bjelke-Petersen. The incident was described at the time as a 'serious terrorist
Premiers of the Executive Building:
Over its life, the Executive Building has been home to nine premiers.campaign against Australian political leaders'. Security was immediately increased at Parliament House and the Executive Building.
✶Sir Johannes Bjelke-Peterson (April 1971 - 1 December 1987)
✶ Michael Ahern (1 December 1987 - 22 September 1989)
✶ Russell Cooper (22 September 1989 - 2 December 1989)
✶ Wayne Goss (2 December 1989 - 20 February 1996)
✶ Robert Borbridge (20 February 1996 - 26 June 1998)
✶ Peter Beattie (26 June 1998 - 13 September 2007)
✶ Anna Maria Bligh (13 September 2007 - 26 March 2012)
✶ Campbell Newman (16 March 2012 - 14 February 2015)
✶ Anastacia Palaszczuk (14 February - present)
Premier Anastacia Palaszczuk was the only premier to witness office in both the Executive Building and 1 William Street.
The Queens Wharf Development:
As the bulldozers tore down the now deteriorating Executive Building, it marked the end of an era and the beginning of a new era. It marked a huge shift in the history of Brisbane City.
Many Brisbane locals were quite adamant in expressing their views on the design of the building itself, typically calling it "ugly", but regardless of what the building looked like there is no doubt these walls could tell so many stories, most of which will remain a secret.
Source: Queensland Government.
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