Bolands Centre

Bolands Centre is a three-story concrete building at the corner of Spence and Lake Street featuring large arched windows and decorative details. Ground floor spaces contain retail shops while upper levels house office areas serving ongoing commercial purposes.

Michael Boland established this department store in 1912 as the first three-story building in Cairns during a time when timber structures dominated. The building marked a shift toward modern construction techniques in the region.

The building has long served as a gathering place where residents met for celebrations and community events. Its central location made it a natural focal point for local social life and daily interactions.

The building sits conveniently in the city center and is easily accessible on foot with adjacent streets and public transport options nearby. Its mixed-use design with ground-floor shops makes it an active part of daily street life in Cairns.

The structure employed floating foundation technology and reinforced concrete construction, introducing advanced engineering methods to Far North Queensland. These modern building techniques made it a landmark for future construction in the region.

Location: Queensland

GPS coordinates: -16.92333,145.77722

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:05