Back to the future for buyer of renowned architect’s innovative inner-city 1960s building

Constructed amid much controversy over its cutting edge design, this 12-sided building in Brisbane’s inner-west has been snapped up in a “landmark” deal.

Architect James Birrell, designer of some of Brisbane's landmark buildings The Toowong library.

A FUTURISTIC and innovative Brisbane architectural landmark built almost 60 years ago has changed hands in the city’s inner-west.

The sale of the former Toowong Municipal Library comes off the back of strengthening demand from investors for inner-city income-producing and value-add assets.

Designed by renowned architect James Birrell, who created some of Brisbane’s most iconic post-war modernist buildings, the property has been snapped up for $2.5 million by a Korean family investment group.

Viewed from the street, the top level of the two-storey, 12-sided building at 579-583 Coronation Drive appears to hover above the surrounding landscaped vegetation.

Undated photograph of the former Toowong library building designed by renowned architect James Birrell.

Constructed in 1961 with much controversy — including a formal complaint from the then City Librarian — over its cutting edge design, it has prevailed as one of Birrell’s iconic creations.

Showcased in numerous building and architecture journals after its opening, the 403sq m building, which sits on a 1629sq m site with 12 car parks, gained national attention

Selling agent Carl Charalambous from C Property, who brokered the deal, said it was the second time he had sold the landmark property over the past three years.

“I sold the same property in 2016 for $1.95 million to a local investor, who had refurbished the building and secured a financial services tenant on a four-year lease,” he said.

Carl Charalambous from C Property, who negotiated the sale of 579-583 Coronation Drive, Toowong. Picture: Megan Slade

Mr Charalambous said the transaction along with a $1.65 million deal he recently negotiated at 30 Costin St, Fortitude Valley, reflected the strengthening demand for city fringe investment assets, which is pushing yields to record low levels.

He said the Coronation Drive property was purchased on a net yield of 5.68 per cent, which was a record for Toowong area over the past 24 months.

Toowong Municipal Library cost about £26,000 to build and its design incorporated innovative construction techniques and new materials for its time.

Architect James Birrell, designer of some of Brisbane's landmark buildings The Toowong Memorial Library 13 sept 1999 - Pic Bruce/Long architecture qld

Its features include diagonally-crossed external steel framing, walls that slope outward, spiralling cantilevered concrete stair and it was topped with an acrylic amber light dome, which has since been replaced with a funnel-shaped structure to conceal an airconditioning plant.

The former Toowong Municipal Library showing the funnel-shaped structure added to conceal an airconditioning plant.

The building was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register in 1998, noted for its “aesthetic and architectural significance as a civic landmark” and as “a rare surviving and substantially intact example of the architecture and planning of James Birrell”.

Three years later, the library was relocated to Toowong Village Shopping Centre and since then the original building has been used as commercial space.

Birrell, the recipient of the prestigious Royal Australian Institute of Architect’s Gold Medal, was responsible for the design of more than 150 projects during his six years as Brisbane City Council’s Chief Architect from 1955 to 1960.

His other celebrated and influential works include inner-city Spring Hill’s Centenary Pool complex, the Wickham Terrace Car Park, the University of Queensland’s Union College at St Lucia and James Cook University Library in Townsville.

Architect James Birrell getting his feet wet at Spring Hill’s Centenary Pool complex, which he designed.