Brisbane has its fair share of weird architecture – what do you believe is the worst?
Perhaps you consider one of our more modern buildings to be disturbing. Or perhaps a building that’s been built decades ago that is rather revolting.
No matter if it’s in the city or your neighbourhood, mention the worst architecture below.
{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
Either the transit centre or the Hartley Teakle building at UQ.
The Roma St Transit Centre. Not only is it a boring, utilitarian building, but it is in such a hideous state of disrepair both inside and out. Embarrassing that this is so often the first view of Brisbane many people get.
Courier-Mail offices at Bowen Hills
I think Brisbane Square tops the list!
That horrible building on top of the Brisbane City Library… if that is the Council building, I’m embarrased for Brisbane! Guh, I hate that place. Although, Roma St comes a very close second – I agree that it must be a terrible place for new arrivals to be introduced to!
Definitely the Transit Centre!!! Horrible first view of a city! What are they doing there inside? Are they refurbishing or what?
I have to choose just one??? Don’t get me wrong, I love my city, but man there are lots of ugly buildings…
Does anyone know what the huge purple building with no windows at the Gabba is?
@laura it is actually not a building but a big exhaust pipe-like thing for the new tunnel bypass thing they are building.
That massive old windowless building at Woolloongabba! Wtf is it? Why is is so much bigger than everything else? Why has it never been cleaned?
and yes, Hartley Teakle at UQ comes a close second – it even has an ugly name.
It’s the Telstra Exchange. It’s where my internets come from!
Anyway, the ugliest piece of architecture is the new Tank st bridge, which isn’t finished yet (but looks very close to it).
Brisbane Square is awesome (it’s like Federation Square in Melbourne), very modern with a variety of eateries including Cool Beans & Baguettes, The Coffee Club, Shinglee Inn, Subway, Salad Bar, Sushi Bar, Newsagent and a Beauty shop. Complete with outdoor tables and park benches, you can either dine at one of the many cafes or sit on the park bench soaking up the sunshine. Brisbane Square is also close to the top end of the mall, close to Queens Park & the Casino with lots of trendy bars and cafes along George Street also. Plus every Wednesday there are the Farmers Markets to enjoy. If you are lucky enough to work in this building, the views of the city, river and mountains are gorgeous, especially on a clear day.
Queensland Government Executive Building from the outside.
All other government buildings on the inside.
Those hideous exhaust pipes for the new tunnels!
Laura, The show Brisbane Extra when it was on tv said that big purple and white thing was to disguse the ventilation outlet for the new clem 7 tunnel and the reason of the colour was to represent the Jacaranda tree (can see a pic and explation here http://www.ourbrisbane.com/transport/2370803.clem7-tunnel-ventilation-outlet-2-woolloongabba). There is another structure near the Royal Brisbane Women’s Hospital that is red and white but can’t remember what tree that represents.
A few of the buildings at QUT are just concrete monstrosities.
That ugly thing on the corner of Boundary and Vulture Streets in West End…the one that looks like a mash-up of Turkish and Greek styles. Hideous!
Oh my YES, to the building at Boundary and Vulture in West End. It is so damn offensive.
I miss Brisneyland so much! I really do. My two eldest children were born there. And I studied architecture at QUT – inspired because I found this little city kind of beautiful, with huge environmental and climatic potential. Brisbane folks, just be yourselves! Adore what you have. Yes, the Transit Centre needs works. Urgently.
The Uniting Church in Indooroopilly. Huge concrete kennel. Dirty stains all over it. Peeling paint work. Woof.
The Engineering building at QUT, visible from the Captain Cook Bridge. Dirty concrete, ugly exhausts and plant equipment at the top. I hear it’s coming down soon.
The new Hale street bridge overpass on Coronation Drive. It looks wonky from the citybound direction, because the concrete walls are straight segments, not curved to follow the curve of the bridge. Saved a few dollars I guess. But then, most overpasses are ugly.
no offense, but the whole city is tacky, cheesy and horrendously outdated. At least the buildings’ architecture complement one another with their laughable facades. Judging by the lack of pride, Brisbane’s sister city ought to be dandenong. Do yourselves a favour Brisbane..bulldoze your city and start from scratch. Have a theme in mind. If you want ideas, hire some town planners and architects from melbourne.
I’ve been wondering for years…
I can’t believe no one has mentioned that god awful foot bridge across the river, running parallel to the Go Between bridge that looks like it was made by a spider on crack.
It’s a ventilation shaft for the tunnel :D now you know
The Exhaust tower at Woolloongabba for the clem 7 tunnell it’s purple!!!
It has got to be that god-awful wheel. If you were going to build a tourist attraction, don’t you think it should at least offer a view? I don’t think it’s even as big as the Ferris Wheel at the Ekka… it’s not a wheel – it’s a training-wheel…
Kurilpa Bridge. It looks unfinished, a mess. Yuk!
GOMA. It looks like a chook shed. No style at all. We could have had some thing special, instead we got suburban architects doing a very plain shed. It would look fine in my back yard, not a show piece on our great river bank. Yuk.
A better question would be trying to name some good architecture in Brisbane!
The new BCC HQ – it is the ugliest building I’ve ever seen.
Telstra building at the Gabba is among the worst. Brisbane City Council building at top of Queenstreet is a gorgeous building, a credit to the city, admired by international visitors.