King George Square, Brisbane

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King George Square is a public square, located between Adelaide Street and Ann Street (and between two sections of Albert Street), in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Adjacent to King George Square is Brisbane City Hall

Originally, Albert Street ran west from the Botanic Gardens as far as Ann Street and the original city markets. A square was located between Ann Street and Adelaide street, south of Albert Street and was called Market Square. This became the site of the Brisbane City Hall (which was completed in 1930). The City Hall was set back from Albert Street and this widened area of the street, and some land north of Albert Street, was renamed Albert Square in honour of Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria.

Following the death of King George V in 1936, the square was widened to include the area which had been Albert Street, and renamed King George Square in honour of the King. The bronze Lion sculptures, which "guard" the King George Square entrance to the Brisbane City Hall, were initially on large sandstone plinths, as part of the George V memorial, which was unveiled in 1938, as a tribute to the King from the citizens of Brisbane.

Vehicular traffic, including a trolley-bus route, operated through the square until 1969, when the roadway was closed to traffic (a zebra crossing, on the roadway between Brisbane City Hall and King George Square, can be seen in one of the photos in the 'photo gallery'). Buildings on the northern side of the square were acquired by the City Council and demolished and work commenced on the construction of the underground King George Square Car Park. At the time of the construction, the statues, including that of King George V and the brass lions, were relocated to their present positions in the square and, between the statues and King George Square, there is now a narrow laneway (replacing the former roadway) for the infrequent passage of Government vehicles (or work vehicles) to be driven to the front of the City Hall.

A round-shaped fountain, located in the centre of King George Square, was also demolished, and a rectangular-shaped fountain built. As a direct result of the current (2005–2007) drought, the water in the rectangular-shaped fountain has been temporarily replaced by a special "Watersense garden" with drought-resistant plants.

There are statues of some famous Queenslanders in a special section of King George Square, which is called "Speakers' Corner". The statues are of Steele Rudd (1868-1935), Emma Miller (1839-1917), and Sir Charles Lilley (1830-1897).

Bronze sculptures from the Expo '88 site have also been incorporated into the square's design.

During the next two years, the lower two levels of the King George Square Car Park will be converted into the King George Square Busway Station. In conjunction with the establishment of the King George Square Busway Station, King George Square is once again being redeveloped. A design competition was held for the Square's redevelopment ^[1].

Contents 1 Photo gallery of King George Square 2 Albert Square 3 Reference 4 External link

[edit] Photo gallery of King George Square

American servicemen during World War II — and photos of the round fountain

United States servicemen march past Brisbane City Hall, circa 1943. (Source: Brisbane City Council)

King George Square, with the zebra crossing and road, and round fountain which was subsequently demolished

Round fountain at King George Square, which has been demolished

The rectangular fountain: filled with water — and where water has been replaced by drought-resistant plants

Brisbane City Hall and the rectangular-shaped fountain (with water)

Brisbane City Hall and the rectangular-shaped fountain (where the water has been replaced by the "Watersense" garden)

The "Watersense" sign at the "Watersense" garden in King George Square

King George Square sculptures

Speakers' Corner at King George Square (with statues of Steele Rudd, Emma Miller, and Sir Charles Lilley)	King George V Statue and plinth	Statue of King George V at Brisbane City Hall	Statue of King George V and the French Flag on Brisbane City Hall
Lion sculpture	King George V Statue and brass lion sculpture	Australian statue and brass lion sculpture	Petrie Tableaux sculpture in front of Brisbane City Hall

[edit] Albert Square

To see photographs of Albert Square, which pre-date King George Square in its present form, see photos [1] and [2].

When Albert Square was redeveloped into King George Square, the fountain at Albert Square was relocated to Wynnum [3]

[edit] Reference

1. ^ King George Square design competition

[edit] External link

• Brisbane City Council e-Library Catalogue (elibcat)image BCC-T120-94615 1994 aerial view of Brisbane City Hall and King George Square looking south along Albert Street. The photo also shows the round fountain in King George Square which was later demolished.