Open House Brisbane – The Hidden Panorama

MacArthur Museum Brisbane – A Familiar History Museum

While walking within business district of the city, there was a museum that I never expected that it will be familiar to me. The name MacArthur knocked something in my head, but I was not sure what it was at first. I decided to visit MacArthur Museum since it was near where I was at that time and the building was included in the Brisbane Open House anyway. I walked along Queen Street coming from taking photos of Hotel Embassy.

At 8th Floor towards the museum

At the time of the visit, the building ground was being renovated, that was why I just have few photos of the building that includes the ground. I went upstairs and followed the way to the museum itself. The moment I entered the museum, I was surprised as I never thought that the name of MacArthur will be the same person that I was familiar with because of my country’s history.

During rudimentary and intermediate school, I learned about the notable quote that American General made during Japanese invasion in Philippines and I am referring to General MacArthur whom announced to the Filipino and Allied forces “I came through and I shall return” during his great escape as Japanese forces able to gain control the country at that time. Since I learned the history quite a long time ago, I was reminded or probably learned that MacArthur went to Australia after leaving Philippines to think again how to retaliate the enemy which made him able to come back to my country and able conquer Japanese forces.

The restored General Douglas MacArthur Room / Office

The first thing that caught my interest is the room that General MacArthur used which still reflects what it was before. When I saw the room, I just thought that it was pretty simple and functional. Well, luxury has no room during war time.

Based on the Brisbane Open House guide book that I bought, the MacArthur Museum Brisbane is a heritage listed MacArthur Chambers built between 1931-1934 as the Queensland headquarter of Australian Mutual Provident Society. The building was used as the headquarter of Allied forces in South-West Pacific during World War II. The AMP Society stayed at basement and ground floor while Commander In Chief of Allied Forces in South-West Pacific Area General Douglas MacArthur, occupied the Boardroom and his staff used the rest of the building.

MacArthur Chambers

After the war, the building reverted its former use by AMP Society until 1978. Then, the building was named as MacArthur Chambers to honor the American General.

I also explored the museum in a short period of time and it showcase the history related to General MacArthur, the World War II, and the role of the Brisbane City during that time. But one thing was for sure that I learned when I visited the museum, the city has a huge role to help and to enable General MacArthur with Allied forces to win back the World War II and that was the moment that my country was waiting, that the American General was able to fulfill his promised and able to return to Philippines to fight back against Japanese.

As museum is my weakness in every of my travel, as I had this tendency to stay longer to read and check almost every displays in the museum but I controlled myself because of limited time that I had. I still wanted to explore other parts of the city, I left the museum and continued exploring other buildings that still part of Brisbane Open House event.

Until then.

Notes :
Plan to visit Brisbane ? Please check latest information here.
Location : Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Directions / Transportation to Brisbane Central Business District :
1. Within Brisbane take any translink train and get off at Central Station. Exit at Ann Street
2. Check the access link to the city here.
Official Website : Brisbane

Plan to visit MacArthur Museum? Check here.
Location : MacArthur Chambers, 201 Edward St, Brisbane City QLD 4000, Australia
Directions / Transportation to MacArthur Museum Brisbane :
1. From Central Station. Exit at Ann Street
2. Cross Ann Street and walk straight towards ANZAC Square and ANZAC Memorial until reaching Adelaide Street
3. Cross Adelaide Street and walk straight towards Sir William Glasgow Memorial until reaching Queen Street
4. Turn right at Queen Street until reaching Edward Street
5. Turn left at Edward Street and walk few meters to reach MacArthur Museum Brisbane or
6. From Ann Street, turn right to Edward Street.
7. Walk along Edward Street until crossing Street. Then, walk few meters to reach MacArthur Museum Brisbane
8. Check the access link to the museum here.
Official Website : MacArthur Museum Brisbane

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Structure : National Australia Bank

Structure (Post#23) : National Australia Bank

Photos of the day are all about National Australia Bank, another heritage building exist along Queen Street. It was a former Queensland National Bank head office built in 1885. The building symbolizes the close relationship of Queensland Bank and Queensland Government. It was designed by Architect FDG Stanley in Classical Revival Style. The Giant order columns of Oamaru (New Zealand) limestone dominates the Queen and Creek Street. These photos are part of Brisbane Open House Event Tour last October 2013.

The building has a distinct Palladian influence with careful classical detailing and giant order columns. It is built on a corner, and the two facades are dominated by bays of Corinthian columns which rise through the upper two storeys. This portion of the Queen Street facade protrudes in the form of a porch while the similar colonnade on Creek Street is recessed.

— Wikipedia

Notes :
Photo : National Australia Bank, NAB Branch
Location : 308-322 Queen St, Brisbane City QLD 4000, Australia
Directions / Transportation :
1. Take any translink train and get off at Central Station. Exit at Ann Street
a. Turn right along Ann Street, next turn left at Edward Street, then turn left at Queen Street or
b. Turn left along Ann Street, next turn right at Creek Street, then turn right at Queen Street
Official Website : None

Interior : Brisbane Arcade

Interior (Post#13) : Brisbane Arcade

Photos of the day are all about interior design of Brisbane Arcade. The building was built to reflect the archetype of the traditional European shopping arcades of the late 18th century and it is said that the Brisbane Arcade is the only remaining example of it. It showcase the Edwardian Baroque style street facades, original terrazzo stairs, dado panelling and lead lighting and balustrading. At the time of the visit, Brisbane Arcade celebrates 90th anniversary. These photos are part of Brisbane Open House Event Tour last October 2013.

Central Walkway from Queen Street towards Adelaide Street with terrazzo flooring and leading to gallery stores on each side

Central Walkway from the upper level showing the terrazo flooring

Roof structure with lightweight exposed steel trusses and clerestory windows on both sides to admit light naturally

Lead Light windows in each gallery store on both levels and ballustrades at the upper level

Central Walkway towards Adelaide Street displaying the ‘Mirage’ 1978, Stainless Steel and Bronsze by Gidon Graetz.

With Ballustre at the upper level

With Chandelier Hanging Lights

Balluster at the upper level with gallery store on the side

With lead-light windows on each gallery stores at the upper level, ballusters, and chandelier lights

Some of the stores inside Brisbane Arcade

Inside of one of the store

Notes :
Photo : Interior inside Brisbane Arcade, interior design
Location : 160 Queen St, Brisbane City QLD 4000, Australia
Directions / Transportation :
1. Take any translink train and get off at Central Station. Exit at Ann Street
a. Turn right along Ann Street, next turn left at Albert Street, then turn left at Adelaide Street or
b. Turn left along Ann Street, next turn right at Edward Street, then turn right at Adelaide Street
Official Website : Brisbane Arcade

Chromatic Outlook : Story Bridge

Chromatic Outlook (Post#56) : Story Bridge

Photos of the day are all about Story Bridge which an iconic bridge in Brisbane that crosses Brisbane River. This bridge is heritage-listed and holds the longest cantilever bridge in Australia. It was built in 1940 and creates years of employment in the city during Great Depression. Its name was came from John Douglas Story, a prominent and influential public servant whom advocated the construction of the bridge. These photos are part of Brisbane Open House Event Tour last October 2013.

Notes :
Photo : Bridge, Story Bridge, Cantilever Bridge, Longest Cantilever Bridge in Australia.
Location : State Route 15, New Farm QLD 4169, Australia
Directions / Transportation (Seen from Eagle Street Pier, Riverside Ferry Terminal and Waterfront Place) :
1. Take any translink train and get off at Central Station. Exit at Ann Street, then turn left, then turn right at Creek Street and walk up to its ends, then continue walking to Eagle Street.
2. Choose which place to view the Story Bridge : Eagle Street Pier, Riverside Ferry Terminal or Waterfront Place.
Official Website : Story Bridge

Interior : Riverside Centre Entrance Lobby

Interior (Post#3) : Riverside Centre Entrance Lobby

When I visited Brisbane during the two-days Open House event in the city, I signed-up in the website for the event organizers and I got selected to visit or tour the Riverside Centre building located in Eagle Street at the heart of business district of the city beside the Brisbane River. One of the fascinating things to see in the building is the Carlberg sculpture seen against exposed rib structure at the entrance of the building. Photo captured last October 2013.

Carlberg sculpture seen against exposed rib structure

Structure : Queensland Parliament House

Structure (Post#4) : Queensland Parliament House

I visited Brisbane, the capital state of Queensland Australia during the Open House Brisbane last October 2013 where private and public buildings are open to people to explore. The photo above is the Queensland Parliament House where house its Legislative Assembly that I got a chance to see.