Community
4 October, 2022
The Boland’s Centre
WHEN it was first built in 1913, the Boland’s Centre was described as Cairns’ first “skyscraper” because the multi-storey, monumental structure towered over everything else.
The architect, Edward Gregory Waters, was also a civil engineer and surveyor and had previously designed the impressive Presentation Convent in Longreach (1902), a Church at Mount Usher (1901) and numerous projects in Rockhampton. In May 1907, E. G.
Waters was appointed engineer and foreman of works for the Cairns Harbour Board where he oversaw expansion and development of the wharves. Waters returned to private practice as an architect in March 1911 and won a design competition for the new “Lyric” theatre the year after. Plans for the “fine, imposing structure” for Cairns Pictures Limited were on display in the window of T. P. Kelly’s chemist store.
In addition to a new theatre for Cairns, the multi-skilled architect had also been engaged by enterprising Irish businessman, Michael Boland, to design an impressive Department Store to cater for another popular leisure activity – shopping.
Due to site conditions being swampy, Waters designed a floating foundation with girders instead of piles. Another interesting construction method employed was the use of moulds to case the walls, floors, internal columns, and decorative details of the façade.
Many materials were imported from England: cement came from Portland; steelwork was prefabricated by Dorman, Long and Co; and the clear plate glass used for the shop front windows was also shipped to Cairns.
The contractor, J. T. Bulcock, completed construction of the £15,000 edifice in time for the lucrative Christmas trade in 1913. Customers enjoyed the convenience of a lift and a spacious store over three levels in which to browse a vast range of goods.
The building was extended in 1936/37 by W. C. Kyanastan to the design of architect, V. M. Brown. In 2010 the owners of the building, Christie Corporate, were acknowledged with an Excellence in Design Award for the adaptive re-use of a heritage building by Cairns Regional Council. The National Trust of Australia also commended the restoration naming the building as Winner for Excellence in Heritage Conservation Works in Queensland.
The Boland’s Centre no longer dominates the Cairns skyline, but its architecture celebrates the grandeur of a bygone era. Other buildings in the district designed by Waters include St Monica’s Convent for the Sisters of Mercy, the Hibernian Hall for the H.A.C.B. Society, a two-storey hotel in Woree for Mr. Brown, a two-storey hotel at Mareeba for P. J. Doyle, a two-storey hotel at Herberton for Mrs. Torlach, and the Catholic Church at Yungaburra.
Sources: State Library of Queensland (SLQ), The Bolands Centre, Queensland Heritage Register.
