The New Farm Powerhouse was built in 1928 to provide power for Brisbane’s expanding tram network and power and lighting for the suburbs of Toowong, Ithaca, and Yeerongpilly.
The Powerhouse was designed by Roy Rusden Ogg, the architect for the Brisbane City Council’s Tramways Department.
He was also responsible for the design of eight Tramways substations.
In 1929 the first section of the stores building was constructed.
In the years after it was made redundant, the structure was subject to neglect and vandalism.
And in the years prior to its conversion, it was occasionally the venue for dramatic theatre and rave events.
In 1991, the Urban Renewal Task Force recommended a review of the structural and financial feasibility of retaining the New Farm powerhouse for public or residential purposes.
Subsequently, the Brisbane City Council initiated the proposed development of the powerhouse into a cultural and performing arts venue.
The Powerhouse arts complex brief was developed through extensive public consultation and with direction from the Urban Renewal Task Force.
A collaborative team of Architects with specific experience – City Design (Theatres), Cox Rayner (Urban Design), and Allom Lovell (Conservation) developed the design.
The building comprises three sections, the boiler house, switch house, and turbine room.
Apart from the partial demolition of the Boiler Room in 1984, almost the whole building remained intact.
The building was constructed in stages, externally from load-bearing masonry.
Through a program of land exchange in 1989, the Brisbane City Council was able to re-acquire the building.
The adaptation potential to reuse the existing structures without detracting from the cultural significance was recognized and architect Peter Roy was commissioned to create an arts venue from the site.
Roy and his team made adjustments such as removing parts of walls, replacing the Turbine Hall roof that had deteriorated, and creating more defined interior spaces generating another evident phase in the Powerhouse’s history.
Original elements such as materials from the eastern wall that was heavily damaged were used in other parts of the building.
A gantry crane and switch from its power station days and graffiti remain intact.
Construction commenced early in 1999 and the complex was completed in 2000.
Today, the venue offers an array of performing arts, visual arts, festivals, and free community events.
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