13/11/2023

Tattersall’s Club Conservation Management Plan

The heritage of Brisbane’s Tattersall’s Club is in many ways well known and recognised including its inclusion in the Queensland Heritage Register since 1992 (pursuant to the Queensland Heritage Act 1992) and in the heritage overlay of Brisbane City Plan 2014. As a much-loved institution, the Club’s history has been explored in several publications, and works to Club buildings have been undertaken with care relying on longstanding relationships with consultants and trades, including for near 40 years the architect Finn Rasmussen. The Conservation Management Plan (CMP), however, provides the first detailed assessment of the heritage values of Tattersall’s Club.

Brisbane’s Tattersall’s Club (formed in 1883) opened its Club Rooms on Edward Street in 1926. Designed by architects TR Hall & GG Prentice the Club premises were constructed on the site of the 1880s Grand Arcade and a smaller adjoining building. An adjoining lot with frontage to Queen Street was later purchased with the Dining Room building (designed by TR Hall & LB Phillips) completed in 1939 linked to the Edward Street building.

The report was prepared by Finn Rasmussen Architects Pty Ltd in association with Phillips Smith Conwell and Susan Hill. Finn Rasmussen oversaw the document with Dr Lisa Marie Daunt (PSC) and Susan Hill as co-authors.

The Conservation Management Plan is intended to document the cultural heritage significance of Tattersall’s Club (the heritage place) and provide guidance for its future management and conservation including streamlining the management of heritage issues across the Club site. In accordance with Burra Charter principles, the report also considers a broader notion of place beyond the heritage listed site, including the immediate and wider setting of Tattersall’s within the cityscape.

The Brisbane Tattersall’s Club buildings are of particular interest to Phillips Smith Conwell, as both the 1926 and 1939 building were designed by our practice. For nearly 100 years our practice has maintained a relationship with the Tattersall’s Club. We thank the current CEO, Simon Proctor, the Tattersall’s Committee and Finn Rasmussen for this and other opportunities.

Location: Brisbane CBD

Completed: 2023

Drawing by: David Phillips, copyright held by Phillips Smith Conwell