Addresses
Type of place
House
Period
Victorian 1860-1890
Style
Queen Anne
This is an image of the local heritage place known as Residence `Pagoda Villa'
Pagoda Villa
Addresses
Type of place
House
Period
Victorian 1860-1890
Style
Queen Anne
‘Pagoda Villa’ was designed by architectural firm John Hall and Sons, for George (junior) and Harriet Watson in 1888. George was one of the partners of Watson Brothers, plumbers and gasfitters, with workshops in Edward Street and stores and office in Eagle Street. An Alderman from 1891 until his retirement in 1896, George Watson was also Mayor of Brisbane in 1893.
Lot plan
L4_RP45312
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Citation —
Construction
Roof: Corrugated iron;Walls: Timber
People/associations
George Watson Jnr (Occupant);John Hall and Son (Architect)
Criterion for listing
(A) Historical; (H) Historical associationInteractive mapping
Lot plan
L4_RP45312
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Citation —
Construction
Roof: Corrugated iron;Walls: Timber
People/associations
George Watson Jnr (Occupant);John Hall and Son (Architect)
Criterion for listing
(A) Historical; (H) Historical associationInteractive mapping
History
‘Pagoda Villa’ was designed by architectural firm John Hall and Sons for George (junior) and Harriet Watson in 1888. The property was held in Harriets name from 1882 to her death in 1926. It passed to members of the Watson family but was sold on in 1929.
George Watson, plumber, migrated to Brisbane in 1862 and established a plumbing business. In 1880 George retired leaving four sons, George junior, Thomas, James and John to continue the business. By 1886 the business known as Watson Brothers was well established as plumbers, gasfitters and galvanised iron and lead works, with workshops in Edward Street and stores and office in Eagle Street.
Exceptional growth in the population and an economic boom in the 1880s prompted an unprecedented increase in building. Despite serious flooding and an economic depression in the 1890s, Watson Brothers was successful as were George junior’s political aspirations. An Alderman from 1891 until his retirement in 1896, he was Mayor of Brisbane in 1893.
During WWI Watson Brothers carried out plumbing alterations to 90% of all vessels converted to troopships in Queensland, and sent tradesmen to Sydney for the same task. In WWII Watson Brothers provided equipment for Australian and US forces in Brisbane. The business remained a family enterprise until 1961 when it was forced into liquidation.
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
-
Queensland Title Deeds
-
Queensland Post Office Directories
-
Brisbane City Council Water Supply and Sewerage Detail Plan 465
-
Donald Watson and Judith McKay, Queensland Architects of the Nineteenth Century, South Brisbane: Queensland Museum, 1994
Citation prepared by — Brisbane City Council (page revised June 2022)