Brisbane City Hall

While 2020 marked its 100th anniversary, Brisbane City Hall hasn’t turned into an old relic, but rather into an architectural icon. Located at the heart of the city it took 10 years of construction, and nearly a million pounds, to be fully completed. At the time, it was one of the most expensive buildings in the country and the second largest, just behind the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Its style, described as “academic classical,” is characterised by impressive columns and a clock tower. Standing over 87 meters tall, the tower made the building the tallest in the city for 30 years. Looking back, you could say Brisbane City Hall was a record-breaking champion in 1920s Australia. The only record it has kept to this day is the size of its copper dome, which remains unmatched in the country. For more than 80 years, the monument has been at the heart of Brisbane’s civic life—whether in times of war, peace, celebration, or even as a place of refuge. This has earned it the title of “The People’s Place”, which it continues to be to this day. After a necessary closure in 2009 for an extensive restoration project, the building has been rejuvenated. And it certainly has lots to offer, from its administrative functions and artistic events to its two cafés and the must-visit Museum of Brisbane.