Northgate Community Centre

After World War 1 communities such as those surrounding Northgate and Virginia were pre-disposed to expand the resources available to them, and a School of Arts committee was formed. This site, containing an area of 1 rood and 8 perches, was permanently reserved for the purpose of a School of Art in 1919. The Northgate-Virginia School of Arts was opened on 20 January 1922.

In June 1952 Council’s E&C Committee considered a proposal by the Committee of the Northgate-Virginia School of Arts that Council take over the management and control of the affairs of that institution. The matter was deferred pending preparations of the budget for 1952-53. In May 1953, Council considered the proposal again. The request from the Management Committee was apparently the result of the recent resignation of the School of Arts librarian, the difficulty in securing suitable staff and general lack of interest in the affairs of the School of Arts.

When Council took over the building it was re-named the Northgate-Virginia District Municipal Library. It was remodelled in 1962 and by 1966 was functioning as a library with in excess of 10,000 books.

The site is now known as the Northgate Community Centre, and no longer supports a municipal library. The hall is regularly used as a gathering space for community groups and classes. Some local clubs lease small areas in the building.

The building comprises three main volumes - the entry wing (including the verandah); the hall (including a raised stage area); and an enclosed verandah with adjustable wooden louvres along the southern side of the hall. The hipped roof of the front wing intersects with the hall’s main gable, with the top of the latter visible above the entrance gable. 

The front section of the building is supported on a brick base wall to the perimeter and with timber stumps elsewhere. The hall section is wholly on timber stumps, battened on the outside perimeter. The small hall underneath the stage area of the building is used for minor meetings. A number of timber staircases provide egress from the hall and stage areas. Except for some garden beds at the entry, the grounds consist largely of well-tended lawns. The interior features an honour board in the main hall. 

Despite its size the Northgate Community Centre is visually integrated with the quiet residential neighbourhood. The front verandah provides a comfortably scaled transition between the street and the large, unadorned volume of the hall. The use of familiar building materials also reflects the surrounding domestic architecture.

A brief visual inspection of the building reveals it to be in generally good physical condition. 

Although the Hall has undergone a series of minor modifications it is still intact. Detracting or insignificant elements are of a minor nature and include: the curved access ramp at the entry, various externally-mounted air conditioning units and a lean-to amenities extension on the building’s lower southern side. The principal volumes of the building are significant and their integrity should not be compromised, for example through unsympathetic additions or the enclosure of the verandah.

1. Brisbane City Council - City Assets Branch Conservation Management Study Stage 1 Report. November 2002