Drayton Court

The establishment of higher density residential living in inner city areas was in response to a number of diverse factors impacting upon cities at this time. The increasing value of inner-city property, suburbanisation, and changing residential patterns within cities facilitated the construction of dwellings designed for higher density occupancy. Within the boundaries of the West End-Woolloongabba Local Area Plan there are a number of 1930s purpose built apartment blocks and nineteenth century residences converted into flats around the same time. Brisbane City Council ordinances in the mid 1930s enforced certain specifications on these buildings. Materials, height levels, site coverage and frontage were regulated. These ordinances sought to preclude the possible eventuality of slum conditions within inner city Brisbane.

William Palfry obtained title to the land in 1885, after it had been sold a number of times. He built a residence on the site that appears to have been rented for many years. Palfry died in 1892 and trustees held the property until 1937 when it was purchased by Clyde Bryant. Bryant submitted plans to Brisbane City Council in 1937 for permission to include a shop on the ground floor of ‘...a block of ten well designed flats.’ By 1939 the flats, including the shop, were erected. Bryant himself conducted a mixed business from the shop. He retained Drayton Court until 1951, when it was acquired by George Cassimatis and Michael Lagos. The shop is still being used as commercial premises in 2000.