Addresses
Type of place
Substation
Period
Postwar 1945-1960
Style
International
This is an image of the local heritage place known as Substation (former)
Substation, 2004
Substation (former)
Addresses
Type of place
Substation
Period
Postwar 1945-1960
Style
International
This brick tramway substation, designed by City Architect Frank Costello, was built in 1948 during Brisbane’s rapid postwar development to provide electricity to the expanding tram network. Incorporating a modern architectural style, this building is a fine example of Costello’s designs. After the cessation of the tramway system in 1969, the building continued to be used as a substation by SEQEB but has since been converted into a private residence.
Also known as
Newmarket Tramway Sub-station
Lot plan
L4_RP79997
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Citation —
Construction
Walls: Face brickPeople/associations
Frank Costello (Architect)Criterion for listing
(A) Historical; (H) Historical associationInteractive mapping
Also known as
Newmarket Tramway Sub-station
Lot plan
L4_RP79997
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Citation —
Construction
Walls: Face brickPeople/associations
Frank Costello (Architect)Criterion for listing
(A) Historical; (H) Historical associationInteractive mapping
History
Brisbane City Council acquired two 16 perch blocks here in 1947, later passing them to the South East Queensland Electricity Board in 1980. In 1948 this tramway substation was designed by Frank Costello, City Architect for the Brisbane City Council to provide electricity to the Lutwyche Road tramline. After the trams had gone, SEQEB used the installation as a substation. This was one of seventeen new electrical and tramway substations constructed during the 1940s and early 1950s, and is typical of his ‘single mass’ (that is, one principal volume) substations of the era. The symmetrically placed air vents, protruding concrete lintels, large rectangular windows and roller door are characteristic of a number of these buildings’ simple designs, and horizontal and vertical forms. According to Chaseling, this style was influenced by the Dutch architect Willem Dudok.
Built at a time of the rapid postwar development in the surrounding suburbs, the Newmarket Tramway Substation is significant not only for the uncommon use of an early modern style on civic buildings, but also because it is so typical of the style of Costello.
Statement of significance
Relevant assessment criteria
This is a place of local heritage significance and meets one or more of the local heritage criteria under the Heritage planning scheme policy of the Brisbane City Plan 2014. It is significant because:
References
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Certificates of Title.
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Chaseling, Scott, Frank Costello: City Architect 1941-1952, City Planner 1946-1952. B. Arch. Thesis, University of Queensland, 1997
Citation prepared by — Brisbane City Council (page revised June 2022)