Building Brisbane: Historic construction photos revealed
Historic photos depicting the construction of the Myer Centre and a former iconic Brisbane landmark have been publicly released for the first time. SEE THE PHOTOS.
QLD News
Don't miss out on the headlines from QLD News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Historic photos depicting the construction of a former iconic landmark of Brisbane have been revealed for the first time.
Several images from the construction of the Myer Centre, now known as Uptown, as well as the Tops amusement arcade in the shopping complex at the Queen St Mall were recently released by the State Library of Queensland.
Dated 1988, the photos capture the construction and fit out of the Myer Centre building in Brisbane’s central business district (CBD) and were taken by Gilbert ‘Gil’ Meland, an employee of the REMM Group, who built the shopping complex.
The collection of images show interior and exterior views of work being undertaken, including work being done on Tops, food court, pirate ship, rock wall, as well as the Elizabeth and Queen St entrances.
The imagery also highlights the changes that have since been made in occupational health and safety standards, with workers clad in shorts and singlets.
A popular venue from the late 1980s until 2000, the Tops Amusement Centre contained a ferris wheel, pirate ship, arcade games, dodgem cars, and the ever-popular Dragon Coaster, which could be seen nine-floors up and heard throughout the shopping centre.
The amusement park closed at the turn of the century to make way for a cinema complex that still occupies the space.
Specialist librarian at the State Library of Queensland Reuben Hillier said the photos showcase a unique part of Brisbane’s history.
“The photos highlight the changing face of Brisbane in the late 80s, that came about with Expo 88,” he said.
“We’re able already to look back at that part of history now that the Myer Centre no longer features Tops or the Myer department store.
“We’re able to look back on that period and see it as unique retrospectively, it was a sign of a change in Brisbane.”
Mr Hillier added that going to the Myer Centre was almost a “rite of passage” for Queenslanders at the time.
“It was a rite of passage for kids to get lost in the Myer Centre or people visiting Brisbane to get confused, walking around because it was that big,” he said.
“Part of that experience was definitely looking up and seeing the roller coaster overhead, the swinging ship, and the noise that made, it was really a feature of the whole shopping centre.
“It was an iconic venue for 12 years that was at the top of the Myer Centre and it’s remembered fondly by many Queenslanders who had the pleasure of going there and riding on the dragon coaster and the other rides.”
Some of the recently released images were shared on Reddit, giving several Queenslanders a nostalgia hit for the ages.
“Gee going to Tops brings back childhood memories. We would drive from Toowoomba to go to the Myer centre,” one person commented.
“Epic. Brings back a lot of nostalgia,” another person commented.
“Oh wasn’t that wonderful. Sad it was torn down, but also I know that not everyone appreciated the noisy noise of the rattling railway line echoing through the whole of the shopping centre,” a different person commented.
More Coverage
Church leader hits out a fossil fuel ‘lunacy’ at CBD cathedral rally
Dozens of people have gathered at a central Brisbane church to rally for more action on climate change with one clergyman saying it was ‘sheer lunacy’ that fossil fuel and fossil mine projects kept being approved.
Pilot trapped after plane crash in Scenic Rim
A pilot became trapped after his light aircraft crashed in the Scenic Rim, with firefighters also working to put out a fire caused by the crash.