Chief Architect of the Department of Works Alfs Kamols
Main contractor
EA Watts Pty Ltd
The Executive Building, nicknamed the Tower of Power, was a 15-storey building located at 100 George Street, Brisbane, Australia.
The building completed construction in 1970, and stood 60 metres high. It was closed in 2016 and demolished in 2017 in order to build the Queens Wharf building. It is the tallest building in Brisbane City to have been demolished.
1975 bomb attack
In the 1960s, the construction of the Executive Building was first proposed by the Queensland government, contacting various international and Australian architects. Chief Architect of the Department of Works Alfs Kamols was selected, designing and finalising the building's design by October 1965. The architecture featured beams clad with architectural bronze sheeting and concrete facade walls, expressing the sub-tropical climate of Brisbane.
In October 1967, a contract was awarded to EA Watts Pty Ltd for 7$ million dollars, with the formal contract being signed on 14 March, 1968. Shortly thereafter, construction began from 1968 to 1970, which included a three-level basement that was dug 39 feet into Brisbane's bedrock, which was intended to be used as a radiation shelter. The completed structure totaled up to approximately 12,000 m² of floor space. On 27 April, 1971, the Executive Building was opened by Premier Bjelke-Petersen. On the same day, the first cabinet meeting was held.[1] The building then served as the office for the next nine Queensland premiers. At the time of the opening, the Executive Building house six departments, which includes the Premier's Department, Treasury Department, Coordinator-General's Department, Public Services Board, Auditor-General's Department, and the Department of Works.[2]
On 19 November, 1975, a letter-bomb sent to Mr Bjelke-Petersen exploded on the 14th floor of the building—only 40 meters away from his office, hurling wire shrapnel at two mailroom officers. At the time, Mr Bjelke-Petersen was on a Royal Australian Air Force plane bound for Mackay, Queensland. A second letter-bomb was bound to the Prime Minister, however it was later defused when it was discovered by X-Ray.
Both officers were hospitalized, with 24-year-old Keith-McFarland underwent surgery at Princess Alexandra Hospital for a severe eye injury while 34-year-old Gary Kross sustained superficial lacerations and was admitted to the Royal Brisbane Hospital.[3]
The letter bomb was mailed from the suburb of Drummoyne in Sydney. Despite investigations, no arrests were made.[4][5] Following the incident, a second bodyguard and a bulletproof vest were allocated to Joh.[6]
Entrance sign of the Executive Building.
History from 1985 - 2016
In February 1985, the South East Queensland Electricity Board industrial dispute led to a significant power outage in Brisbane city. However, the building's power remained active due to the presence of backup generator. Because of this, The Sydney Morning Herald referred to the building as “Sir Joh's citadel,” after lights in the former premiers office stayed on despite widespread power outages.[6] During Sir Joh's tenure in the Executive Building, his office was located on the 14th floor with a secret stairwell that led to the cabinet room in the 13th floor—so he didn't have to leave by a lift. By the time of demolition, the stairwell and the 15th floor was boarded up. The Executive Building had many famous visitors and international politicians, which included Canadian singer Michael Bublé and President Mikhail Gorbachev.[7]
In 2015, the Labor Party was opposing the construction of 1 William St and the Queen's Wharf. However, this did not work, and the construction of both projects commenced.[8] On 10 December, 2016, the building was officially closed, with tours held around the former building.[1]
Premiers
The Executive Building housed the following premiers:
The demolition commenced in 2017 when the Executive Building was wrapped in scaffolding, and a 4.5 tonne excavator was lifted onto the building for the process of hard demolition. The building was stripped from the inside and outside before each floor was dismantled by the excavator.[9]
Design
Two prominent government logos signs were installed atop each side of the parapet atop the building. The idea of logos emblazoned on top of the Executive Building was coined by premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen during the opening in April 1971. Originally, he oversaw the installation of rooftop signs which bore the State's coat of arms.
In April 2000, a new logo was designed by local architect and designer, Michael Bryce, depicting a symbolic imprint of the State governments by a sunburst image. However, the design choice faced criticism both internally and externally.[10]
