Addresses
Type of place
Shop/s
Period
Victorian 1860-1890
Style
Free Classical
This is an image of the local heritage place known as Fireworks Gallery
680 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley
Addresses
Type of place
Shop/s
Period
Victorian 1860-1890
Style
Free Classical
This masonry building was constructed circa 1878 and is one of the few surviving commercial buildings in Fortitude Valley from the 1870s. Used as a retail premises for more than 100 years, the building forms part of an historic group of nineteenth century buildings in this part of Ann Street.
Lot plan
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Citation —
Construction
Roof: Corrugated iron;Walls: Face brick
Criterion for listing
(A) Historical; (B) Rarity; (D) RepresentativeInteractive mapping
Lot plan
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Citation —
Construction
Roof: Corrugated iron;Walls: Face brick
Criterion for listing
(A) Historical; (B) Rarity; (D) RepresentativeInteractive mapping
History
This masonry commercial building dates from circa 1878 and has had a variety of manufacturing and retail uses. It has a gabled roof with an additional clerestory roof over the central two thirds of the building. Simple detailing includes a semi-circular window above the awning. A timber lined ceiling divides the ground floor from a storage/attic space above.
As the valley population increased throughout the 1860s, Ann Street became the Valley’s first commercial district. On the western side, Moses Ward’s Apothecaries Hall and Joseph Bragg’s bakery, both standing today, were constructed. Beside these was a grocery shop and further down Ann Street, past Warner Street, were a drapery, an ironmonger and the original Osbourne Hotel. The construction of a number of substantial buildings in the 1870s marked the growing sophistication, confidence and population in Fortitude Valley. These new brick buildings signified the permanence of the Valley settlement.
The earliest recorded occupancy of this building is 1876, though it may have been erected prior to that date. Over the years many of the occupants of the three shops manufactured and sold their goods directly from the premises. They included a bootmaker, furniture dealers, grocers, dressmaker, draper and tailor. The property appears to have always been a multi-tenanted commercial establishment.
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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Brisbane City Council (BCC) aerial photographs.
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Brisbane City Council Water Supply and Sewerage Detail Plans
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Post Office Directories.
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Titles Office Records
Citation prepared by — Brisbane City Council (page revised June 2023)