Allan and Stark Building

The Allan and Stark Building is a three to four-story brick complex on Queen Street in Brisbane, featuring classical arches, pilasters, and ornamental cornices across its facades. Inside, it preserves original details such as timber joists and pressed metal ceilings that show construction methods from different periods.

James Allan and Robert Stark started their drapery business in South Brisbane in 1882, but relocated northward after the floods of 1893 damaged their area. The building complex was constructed in stages between 1881 and the 1920s, with each expansion adding to its development story.

The building shows how wealthy business owners expressed their success through architecture in the late 1800s: tall facades and decorative details signaled prosperity and ambition to passing customers. Queen Street was the commercial heart of Brisbane at the time, and such grand storefronts competed to impress shoppers and establish credibility.

Located on Queen Street, the building sits in Brisbane's main commercial area, so expect typical city street activity and parking considerations. You can view the exterior and street-level details freely, and the classical brick facade is clearly visible from the sidewalk.

The building was constructed over multiple decades, yet the architects managed to maintain visual unity across the different phases - you can spot the various construction periods in subtle details if you look closely. This reflects skilled craftsmanship in adapting and expanding the complex while keeping it coherent.