La Scala, Fortitude Valley

La Scala is a three-story timber building featuring a terracotta tiled roof and enclosed verandahs with timber screens on Brunswick Street. The ground floor contains three separate business spaces, while the upper levels provide residential accommodation connected by a central stairwell.

Built in 1914 for Dr Thomas Mathewson, the structure initially served as both a medical practice and residence under architect Thomas Ramsay Hall's design. This combination reflected the common practice of professionals living and working at the same location during that era.

The interior features varying plaster ceiling designs throughout the public rooms, with leadlight details in doors and windows paired with stylized timber balustrades that reflect design tastes of the early 1900s. These decorative elements give each space its own character and show how people valued craftsmanship in their homes.

The building sits on Brunswick Street in Fortitude Valley with easy access within this neighborhood. Large roof decks provide outdoor viewing areas where visitors can experience street level views and surroundings.

The building features large roof decks that represented an innovative approach to residential design when it was built. These outdoor areas allowed residents a new way to use their home beyond the typical indoor spaces.