The project is a revitalisation of the podium of a well-known tower on the corner of Queen Street and Brisbane’s Post Office Square. The podium is renowned for its heritage-listed artworks by Leonard Shillam, and the building was designed by Cook and Kerrison & Partners in association with Prangley & Crofts in 1970 for Westpac. One of the artworks was discovered in an old corridor and is entitled ‘City and Communication.’ The much larger external artwork is entitled ‘The Banker’ and remains in place on the podium façade.
The project relocates the building’s foyer onto Post Office Square where space lacking previously was found, enabling new retail outlets to be inserted along Queen Street.
A reconstruction of podium roof plant allowed the creation of a new fourth level above the existing three levels. This level now comprises two glass pavilions of office space opening out to a garden terrace overlooking the square.
The horizontal spandrels of the former podium façade have been removed and replaced by floor-ceiling glass. The tilted geometry of the new glazing system and new awning is derived from the angular forms found in Leonard Shillam’s sculptures.
Blight Rayner was responsible for both the external refurbishment and the foyer and retail tenancy fitouts at ground level. The podium office spaces are now occupied by WeWork.
