signs of the times

The Brisbane Powerhouse building was formally used to run the now defunct Brisbane tram system from 1928 until being decommissioned in 1971. Following this, the building lay derelict for almost thirty years, appearing to be abandoned during this time. It wasn’t however. Homeless people and street kids found refuge in the many empty rooms, photographers and filmmakers used the site to create artistic works and the army even used the site for a period of time for target practice and other army exercises. During the 1990s the Brisbane City Council identified the building as being culturally significant, so the concept of the Brisbane Powerhouse as an arts centre was born and the BCC took it on as its millennium project. The design philosophy aimed to preserve the history of the building, both as an industrial site, and from the 1970s as a place where people found refuge, staged parties and left their marks. Existing fixtures were maintained and much of the graffiti remains preserved on the beautiful old raw textured walls. The heritage-listed Brisbane Powerhouse opened as an arts venue in the year 2000 and continues to present some of the most innovative theatre, live music, visual arts, festivals, film, and comedy in this country.


If arriving via the Brisbane River on a City Cat you'd likely enter the building from this side

If arriving in your own car or via a stroll through New Farm Park you'd likely enter this side

Here's a sample of a graffiti-preserved wall. I love the gorgeous wall textures throughout the building. If you wander around outside you'll find a bunch of cool signs erected in the carpark and surrounding areas.





See you again on Sunday. For the Shadow Shot Sunday birthday celebration! Enjoy the rest of the week.