UQ Brisbane City

Located in the impressive state heritage-listed National Australia Bank building at 308 Queen Street, Brisbane, the Atrium is The University of Queensland’s new space for professional development, networking and events. Refurbished by BVN Architecture, with heritage consultant Conrad Gargett and builder FDC, the grand interior features high ceilings, glazed roofs and giant order columns.

The new work celebrates the forms, symmetry and decorative elements characteristic of the original building’s Classical Revival style, while adding a range of identifiable insertions and interventions that reticulate new technologies and services throughout the space. The Atrium has consequently been transformed to support a range of diverse uses across professional development, networking and collaboration. The refurbishment also includes repair to the external stone façade and a new lift well entry.

The original three-storeyed brick building with sandstone facings was built between 1881 and 1924. It is one of the earliest surviving bank buildings in Brisbane and is one of the finest works attributed to architect Francis Drummond Greville Stanley. Its heritage listing states that it is a significant example of the Classical Revival style, distinguished by the quality of its detailing and materials. “The building has a distinct Palladian influence with careful classical detailing and giant order columns,” the listing notes. The wall facing material and the pilasters are mainly in local sandstone, with the main entry doors in locally grown cedar and the giant order Corinthian columns in imported Oamaru limestone.

Join us for guided tours of this beautiful space, or refreshments under the dome.

View all of the UQ Collective on this Guidemap noting that this building is in Brisbane City