T&G Building, Townsville

The T&G Building was a building of a distinct post-war international architectural style in Townsville, Australia. Constructed in 1955, The 2 storey building featured a 36 metres (120 ft), 6 storey high, clock tower on the a corner on Flinders and Stanley streets, adjacent to the eastern end of modern day Flinders Mall. The Building was demolished in 2008.^[2]

History

The Australian Temperance and General Mutual Life Assurance Society established a branch in Townsville in the early 1930s and purchased the site on the corner of Flinders and Stanley Streets in May 1939 with plans to construct a large branch office. However, plans were delayed due to World War II and the shortage of building materials which followed the war. In 1955 construction began on the structure which reportedly took seven years and 3 separate building contractors to complete. The building is believed to have been designed by architects, Stephenson and Turner.^[2]

In 1988 Temperance and General sold the building, and later was used as a migrant care centre. In early 1991 the building was painted white. In 2006 Townsville Developer, The Lancini Group, purchased a 50% stake in the building from former owners Northern Management Group.^[3] In 2008 the building was demolished due to structural and health concerns with the deteriorating building. The four original clock faces and two of the 'T&G' signs from the clocktower were preserved.^[2]

In 2008 during demolition of the building plans were released which announced the construction of a new 16 storey office building on the location.^[2] In 2009 revised plans were released for the site, with developer, The Lancini Group, stating that the project would be started when there was sufficient tenant support.^[3]

See also

• T & G Mutual Life Assurance Society
• T & G Building, Brisbane
• T & G Building, Geelong

References