Family Services Building, Historic government building in Brisbane, Australia
The Family Services Building at 171 George Street in Brisbane is an eight-story structure with sandstone facades and a granite base. Its design features three corner pavilions, each containing marble-finished entrances and decorative plaster cornices.
The building was completed in 1922 and served as Queensland's first major government office tower. It originally housed the state's Government Savings Bank headquarters.
The facades display sculptural details representing commerce and industry, adorned with arched stone features and vertical stone cornices that express the economic importance of government functions. These artistic elements were meant to communicate strength and prosperity to the public.
Access is provided through three corner pavilions on the ground floor, each leading to different government departments. The multiple entrances make it easy to find your way, and the building sits in a central location accessible on foot.
Construction spanned nearly a decade due to material shortages, with foundation work beginning in 1913 and the building finally opening in 1922. This extended timeline made it a notable project in early Australian high-rise building history.
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