Conrad Gargett
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Architecture, Design |
| Founded | 1890 in Brisbane, Australia |
| Founder | Henry Wallace Atkinson |
| Fate | Merged with Architectus in 2023 |
| Successor | Architectus (merged entity) |
| Headquarters | Brisbane , Australia |
Area served | Australia, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia |
| Products | Architectural and design services |
Number of employees | 200+ (2022) |
Conrad Gargett was an Australian architectural and design practice established in Brisbane in 1890, ranking among the earliest architectural firms in Queensland. It maintained offices in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Townsville, and Addis Ababa. In 2023, it combined with the Australian architectural firm Architectus.
Establishment
The origins of Conrad Gargett Architecture trace back to 1890 with HW Atkinson, founded by Henry Wallace Atkinson after his victory in the design competition for Brisbane's Head Fire Station. In 1907, Charles McLay joined the firm, which then operated as HW Atkinson & Chas McLay. The practice served as Diocesan Architect for the Anglican Church, creating numerous educational and religious buildings throughout South East Queensland. Following McLay’s passing in 1918, Arnold Conrad became a partner, leading to the firm's rebranding as Atkinson & Conrad, recognized for its unique Spanish Mission architectural style.
From 1920 through 1980, the firm played a crucial role as Hospital Architect for various boards across Queensland, contributing to significant hospital projects such as Royal Brisbane Hospital, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Prince Charles Hospital, and Gold Coast Hospital. The partnership expanded in 1926 with Lange Leopold Powell joining and securing the role of architects to the Brisbane and South Coast Hospital Board; the firm was then known as Atkinson, Powell & Conrad.
After World War II, under the leadership of AH Conrad and Thomas Brenan Femister Gargett (TBF Gargett), the company emerged as a prominent designer of commercial office buildings within Brisbane’s central business district. Among its notable works are the SGIO Building featuring the SGIO Theatre (now Suncorp Metway Plaza) and headquarters for three of Australia’s major banks. The collaboration with Bates Smart produced the 1955 MLC building, one of Brisbane’s pioneering modernist commercial office structures.
In 2017, a detailed publication entitled Conrad Gargett was released, documenting the firm’s evolution from 1890 to 2015. Edited by Robert Riddel, this work provides comprehensive architectural insights into the various stages of the firm’s history.
Growth
Conrad Gargett expanded through mergers with Riddel Architecture in 2012 and Ancher Mortlock Woolley in 2013. It now operates as a multidisciplinary firm with expertise spanning health, education, heritage conservation, and defence sectors.
Founded in 1982 by Robert Riddel in Brisbane, Riddel Architecture specialized in heritage preservation, conservation efforts, and adaptive reuse projects. Their portfolio includes significant restorations such as Brisbane's Customs House, the former Wests Furniture Showroom, and the old Queensland National Bank building located at 308 Queen Street.
Ancher Mortlock Woolley originated as Ancher Mortlock & Murray in 1946 when Sydney Ancher, Bryce Mortlock, and Stuart Murray established it in Sydney; Ken Woolley joined later in 1964. The practice gained recognition for designing modernist buildings and received prestigious awards including the Sir Zelman Cowen Award for Public Architecture and the Robin Boyd Award for Residential Architecture. Their notable projects encompass Town Hall House and Sydney Square (1977), exhibition halls at the Royal Agricultural Showground, and restoration work on Victoria’s State Library.
By 2022, Conrad Gargett employed more than 200 professionals and offered services across diverse sectors such as commercial development; community and civic facilities; defence installations; education and research institutions; healthcare; heritage projects; infrastructure; justice facilities; residential housing; retail and hospitality venues; seniors living accommodations; sport and leisure complexes; transport systems; urban design and masterplanning; along with workplace and interior design.
On 5 April 2023, Conrad Gargett revealed its merger with Architectus, creating one of Australia's largest architecture practices with a combined workforce exceeding 700 employees.
Noteworthy Projects
Conrad Gargett has been responsible for the design of many iconic structures throughout Australia, with a strong emphasis on Queensland. Their notable undertakings encompass heritage-listed civic buildings, educational campuses, medical centers, and commercial properties. The firm's work portfolio demonstrates a dedicated commitment to heritage preservation, adaptive reuse strategies, and innovative public architecture.
| Year Completed | Architectural Firm | Project Title | Location | Honors | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1890 | HW Atkinson | Fire Brigade Head Station | Brisbane City | No longer standing | |
| 1892 | HW Atkinson | Coorparoo School of Arts and RSL Memorial Hall | Coorparoo | Recognized as a State Heritage Place | |
| 1903 | HW Atkinson | Wesleyan Methodist Church, Linton Street | Kangaroo Point | Classified as Local Heritage Place | |
| 1906 | HW Atkinson | Brisbane Fruit & Produce Markets, Turbot Street | Brisbane | Listed as Local Heritage Place | |
| 1906 | HW Atkinson | Queensland Brewery (extensions) | Fortitude Valley | ||
| 1907 | HW Atkinson & Charles McLay | Fire Station, Ann & Wharf Streets | Brisbane | Demolished | |
| 1907 | HW Atkinson & Charles McLay | "Denila" Villa Residence for FAJ Isles, Jordan Terrace | Bowen Hills | Local Heritage Place designation | |
| 1909 | HW Atkinson & Charles McLay | Ithaca Town Council Chambers | Red Hill | State Heritage Place status | |
| 1910 | HW Atkinson & Charles McLay | Fitzroy Chambers (Commerce House) | Brisbane City | ||
| 1910 | HW Atkinson & Charles McLay | McWhirters & Son Market | Fortitude Valley | Recognized as State Heritage Place | |
| 1912 | HW Atkinson & Charles McLay | Desmond Chambers, Adelaide Street | Brisbane City | Local Heritage Place status | |
| 1918 | HW Atkinson & Charles McLay | Church of England Grammar School (Churchie) | East Brisbane | ||
| 1918 | HW Atkinson & Charles McLay | Trades and Labour Hall | Brisbane City | No longer existing | |
| 1920–1935 | Atkinson & Conrad / Atkinson, Powell & Conrad / Conrad Gargett (various) | Diverse public, commercial, and educational projects including The Southport School, St Paul's Anglican Church, Craigston Apartments, Masonic Temple, St John's Cathedral abutment wall, National Australia Bank building, Brisbane Boys' College, Lady Lamington Nurses Home, Royal Women's Hospital (demolished), Courier-Mail Building (demolished), Finney Isles & Co Building additions among others | Brisbane and across Queensland | Various heritage recognitions and awards | |
| 1951–1978 | AH Conrad & TBF Gargett / Conrad Gargett and Partners | Healthcare institutions such as Princess Alexandra Hospital (demolished), Prince Charles Hospital Sanatorium (demolished), several University of Queensland residential colleges including Cromwell College, St John's College, Women's College; Commonwealth Bank Building at King George Square; Queensland Newspapers offices; conservation work at Queensland Parliament House; SGIO Offices (demolished); Comalco House (now State Law Building); National Bank House; National Mutual Centre in collaboration with Civil & Civic | Locations throughout Queensland | Multiple heritage listings and accolades | |
| 1981–1995 | Conrad Gargett | Projects focused on conservation and adaptive reuse including Sheraton Hotel (now Sofitel), The Mansions preservation, refurbishment of Commonwealth Bank Head Office, adaptive reuse of St Martin's House within St John's Cathedral precinct, renovation of Queensland Newspapers Murarrie facility, State Law Building refurbishment, Therapies and Anatomy building at University of Queensland | Brisbane City and other Queensland sites | Numerous heritage commendations | |
| 1995–2014 | Conrad Gargett | Significant heritage restoration initiatives such as Brisbane Customs House, Brisbane City Hall revitalization, Spring Hill Baths refurbishment; educational master planning for Australian Catholic University; redevelopment of RAAF bases; clinical science facilities; redevelopment of State Library of Victoria; Old Government House preservation; award-winning emergency shelter designs; workplace projects for BDO and Harrison Grierson; rooftop expansion of Goddard Building at University of Queensland; Mt Isa Hospital redevelopment; St Stephen's Hospital in Hervey Bay; Queensland Children's Hospital in partnership with Lyons; General Electric Headquarters in Springfield; among various other projects across Australia | Primarily Queensland with select national engagements | Recipient of numerous industry honors including AIA Architecture Awards and international distinctions | |
| 2016–2022 | Conrad Gargett | Recent works featuring The Piano Mill in Stanthorpe (winner in World Architecture Festival Culture category), Griffith University Aquatic Centre and Gymnasium (AIA Building of the Year Gold Coast region), UQ Whitty Building recognized for heritage excellence; St Laurence’s STEM and Sports Centre; QUT Gardens Point OJW Conference Venue; Africa Hall Redevelopment in Ethiopia; Coorparoo Square mixed-use development (Property Council of Australia National Winner); Queensland Theatre’s Bille Brown Theatre; Sydney Ferry Wharves Upgrade Project; Maritimo residential project commended for heritage architecture; Ogden Street Transport Revitalisation in Townsville; Proserpine Administration and Disaster Coordination Centre awarded regionally; Rockhampton Performing Arts and Convention Centre; Newcastle Station Stage 2 Redevelopment honored for planning excellence; RNA Showgrounds Building 8 heritage commendation; Thomas Dixon Centre redevelopment for Queensland Ballet ($100 million project); Queensland Rail Station Design Manual awarded Good Design Award; Rockhampton Museum of Art recipient of multiple public architecture prizes; Mohammed bin Salman “Misk” Foundation Centre in Saudi Arabia (winner of world's first non-profit city competition); The HIVE office building for Great Barrier Reef Authority in Townsville ($200 million ongoing project) | Australia-wide with international ventures in Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia | Holder of numerous national and global design awards |