Brisbane Magistrates Court - More than Just a Building

摘要

Construction of the new Brisbane Magistrates Court was completed late 2004, with the building now fully occupied and operational. This landmark project is in many ways more than just a building - it was conceived as a new western 'gateway into Brisbane's CBD. The development has a vital role that will bring new life into the neglected western CBD, become part of an integrated pedestrian corridor to the Roma Street Parkland and consolidate the area as Brisbane's legal precinct. The site chosen for the new landmark structure was an open car park. The 135.5 million dollars development at 363 George Street, on the corner of George and Turbot Streets has three road frontages. It replaces the existing courthouse at 1 79 North Quay, consolidating the legal precinct. At 14-storeys in precast concrete it is the most prominent landmark in the area. It breathes new life into the western corridor of the Brisbane CBD. The building is one of the few custom-built courthouses in Australia, housing 39 courtrooms, comprising 19 Magistrates Courtrooms including a Murri (Indigenous) Court, two Coroners Courtrooms, four Small Claims Courtrooms, administration areas, day detention facilities and prisoner transfer facilities. The complex also houses 25 hearing rooms, with the capacity for a further 14 to be added in the future. The court complex was designed by Brisbane-based architects Ainsley Bell and Murchison in joint partnership with Cox Rayner. The builder was the now-defunct Walter Construction Group with the Department of Public Works as the project manager. With a gross floor area of 31,650 square metres, this is one big building.