Executive Building
| Executive Building | |
|---|---|
 The Executive Building prior to its demolition. | |
  Location in Queensland | |
| Alternative names | Tower of Power |
| General information | |
| Status | Demolished |
| Type | Government office building |
| Architectural style | Brutalist |
| Location | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Address | 100 George Street, Brisbane |
| Coordinates | 27°28′16″S 153°01′29″E / 27.4712°S 153.0246°E |
| Opened | 27 April 1971 |
| Demolished | 2017 |
| Owner | Government of Queensland |
| Height | 60 m |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 15 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Alfs Kamols |
The Executive Building, nicknamed the Tower of Power, was a 15-storey building located at 100 George Street which stood 60 metres high. It was closed in 2016 and demolished in 2017 in order to build the Queens Wharf building. It is the tallest building in Brisbane City to have been demolished.
History
[edit]In the 1960s, the construction of the Executive Building was first proposed by the Queensland government, contacting various international and Australian architects. Brutalist architect Alfs Kamols designed and finalized the building’s design in October 1965, featuring beams clad with architectural bronze sheeting and concrete facade walls, which expresses the sub-tropical climate of Brisbane. In October 1967, a contract was awarded to EA Watts Pty Ltd for 7$ million dollars, with the formal contract being signed on 14 March 1968. Shortly thereafter, construction began from 1968 to 1970, which included a three-level basement that was dug 39 feet into Brisbane’s bedrock, which was intended to be used as a radiation shelter. The completed structure totaled up to approximately 12,000 m² of floor space. On 27 April, 1971, the Executive Building was opened by Premier Bjelke-Petersen. On the same day, the first cabinet meeting was held.[1] The building then served as the office for the next nine Queensland premiers. At the time of the opening, the Executive Building house six departments, which includes the Premier's Department, Treasury Department, Coordinator-General's Department, Public Services Board, Auditor-General's Department, and the Department of Works.[2]
1975 bomb attack
[edit]On 19 November, 1975, a letter-bomb sent to Mr Bjelke-Petersen exploded on the 14th floor of the building—only 40 meters away from his office, hurling wire shrapnel at two mailroom officers. At the time, Mr Bjelke-Petersen was on a Royal Australian Air Force plane bound for Mackey. A second letter-bomb was bound to the Prime Minister, however it was later defused when it was discovered by X-Ray. Both officers were hospitalized, with 24-year-old Keith-McFarland underwent surgery at Princess Alexandra Hospital for a severe eye injury while 34-year-old Gary Kross sustained superficial lacerations and was admitted to the Royal Brisbane Hospital.[3] The letter bomb was mailed from the suburb of Drummoyne in Sydney. Despite investigations, no arrests were made.[4][5] Following the incident, a second bodyguard and a bulletproof vest were allocated to Joh.[6]
History from 1985 - 2016
[edit]In February 1985, the South East Queensland Electricity Board industrial dispute led to a significant power outage in Brisbane city. However, the building’s power remained active due to the presence of backup generator. Because of this, The Sydney Morning Herald referred to the building as “Sir Joh's citadel,” after lights in the former premiers office stayed on despite widespread power outages.[6] During Sir Joh’s tenure in the Executive Building, his office was located on the 14th floor with a secret stairwell that led to the cabinet room in the 13th floor—so he didn’t have to leave by a lift. By the time of demolition, the stairwell and the 15th floor was boarded up. The Executive Building had many famous visitors and international politicians, which included Canadian singer Michael Bublé and President Mikhail Gorbachev.[7]
In 2015, the Labor Party was opposing the construction of 1 William St and the Queen's Wharf. However, this did not work, and the construction of both projects commenced.[8] On 10 December, 2016, the building was officially closed, with tours held around the former building.[1]
Premiers
[edit]The Executive Building housed the following premiers:
- Sir Joh Bjelke-Peterson (April 1971 - 1 December 1987)
- Michael Ahern (1 December 1987 - 22 September 1989)
- Russell Cooper (22 September 1989 - 2 December 1989)
- Wayne Goss (2 December 1989 - 20 February 1996)
- Rob Borbidge (20 February 1996 - 26 June 1998)
- Peter Beattie (26 June 1998 - 13 September 2007)
- Anna Bligh (13 September 2007 - 26 March 2012)
- Campbell Newman (16 March 2012 - 14 February 2015)
- Annastacia Palaszczuk (14 February 2015 - December 2023)
Demolition
[edit]
The demolition commenced in 2017 when the Executive Building was wrapped in scaffolding, and a 4.5 tonne excavator was lifted onto the building for the process of hard demolition. The building was stripped from the inside and outside before each floor was dismantled by the excavator.[9]
Design
[edit]Two prominent goverment logos signs were installed atop each side of the parapet atop the building. The idea of logos emblazoned on top of the Executive Building was coined by premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen during the opening in April 1971. Originally, he oversaw the installation of rooftop signs which bore the State’s coat of arms. In April 2000, a new logo was designed by local architect and designer, Michael Bryce, depicting a symbolic imprint of the State governments by a sunburst image. However, the design choice faced criticism both internally and externally.[10]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Briggs, Casey (10 December 2016). "Queensland Executive Building open for final time before demolition". ABC News. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
- ^ "Executive Building, Brisbane". Flickr. 15 November 2016. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
- ^ "From the Archives, 1975: Letter bombs sent to Prime Minister, Premier". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment. 18 November 2019. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ^ "Queensland Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)" (PDF). Queensland Parliament. 19 November 1975. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
- ^ Australian Associated Press (20 November 1975). "Letter bombs for Bjelke-Petersen and Fraser". Papua New Guinea Post-Courier. p. 6. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
- ^ a b Casey Briggs (9 December 2016). "Queensland Executive Building open for final time before demolition". ABC News. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
- ^ Jessica Hinchliffe (9 December 2016). "Executive Building at 100 George Street in Brisbane to open for final time". ABC News. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
- ^ "| Queensland Buildings | Executive Building, 100 George Street". buildings.slq.qld.gov.au. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ "| Queens Wharf Brisbane | Hard demolition begins on former Executive building clearing the way for Queen's Wharf Brisbane". queenswharfbrisbane.com.au au. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ Chris Salisbury (16 January 2017). "Logos to Go: Brisbane's Executive Building Demolition a Loss of Political Structure and Symbolism" (PDF). TJ Ryan Foundation. Retrieved 18 September 2025.