Rowes Building

In 1885, a grand vision took shape on Edward Street. Two buildings, the Rowes Building and its neighbor Rothwells, began their ascent. They were commissioned by two prominent figures: Thomas MacDonald-Paterson, a solicitor and Member of Parliament, and John Forsyth, a local merchant. The Rowes Building, a beautiful structure, cost £13,000 to build. W. Macfarlane was the builder for this ambitious project. The ground floor was designed for offices, while the upper floors were flexible spaces for offices or warehousing. MacDonald-Paterson himself occupied an office in the Rowes Building, leasing out the rest. Fast forward to 1903. William Effy, whose mother Minna Rowe had established the popular Rowes Cafe in Queen Street, secured a ten-year lease. The lease covered the basement, ground floor, and first-floor balcony of the Rowes Building. Effy continued the family’s catering legacy at this new location. By 1909, the Rowes Building housed a bustling dining room on the ground floor, capable of seating 380 guests. Effy’s success led him to purchase the Rowes Building in 1914. In 1925, he commissioned architects Hall and Prentice for a major renovation and expansion. This ambitious project cost £162,000. It included the purchase of the City Garage, upon which Rowes ballroom was built. The project also involved acquiring additional Adelaide Street frontage. The existing Adelaide Street building was demolished and replaced with a six-story structure. The ground floor featured a shopping arcade, known as Rowes Arcade, which provided access to Rowes Cafe. The upper floors were dedicated to office spaces. The Rowes Building complex, now T-shaped, maintained its Edward Street frontage but extended approximately 300 feet. Further alterations to the Edward Street facade were made in late 1926. The Rowes Building has undergone various transformations throughout its history. Part of the original cafe was converted to a shopping arcade in 1958, with extensions in 1961. Ownership eventually transferred to National Mutual Life Association. A major redevelopment of the combined Rowes/Rothwells buildings took place in 1984. Today, the Rowes Building stands as a testament to Brisbane’s history. Its classical facade, with its arched openings, decorative capitals, and ornate pediment proudly displaying “ROWES”, continues to grace Edward Street. It’s a reminder of the building’s rich past, from its beginnings as a combined office and warehouse space to its role as a beloved cafe and bustling shopping arcade.