Like it or loath it, the Kurilpa Bridge is a vital link between the city and the cultural area South Brisbane, leading directly to the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA), the Art Gallery, State Library and Museum. A public competition was held to decide on a name for the bridge, and Kurilpa was chosen as it reflects the Australian Aboriginal word for the South Brisbane and West End area, and means "place for water rats". Thankfully I've never seen any water rats in the area!
Of all of the bridges that span the Brisbane River, this is possibly the most controversial. The Kurilpa Bridge is a pedestrian and cycle bridge which cost A$63 million and it seems that either you like it or you don't. Personally I think it is a hideous jumble of metal and cables, and a ridiculous waste of money. It is the world's largest tensegrity bridge. This means that it produces a synergy between balanced tension and compression components to create a light structure that is incredibly strong.
Come back again for a closer look.
You might want to take a look back at yesterday's post, and see if you can notice the two dots at the top of the 'Soul' tower. Here they are in close up! I'm not sure if they were inspecting the exterior or just abseiling for fun, but what I do know is that you wouldn't get me up there for quids!
To start the week we're going to have a dizzying visit back to the Gold Coast to look at 'Soul', the newest apartment tower that opened this year. It is the second tallest building on the Gold Coast (after Q1 which I've shown you before) and stands at 243 m (797 ft). The penthouse spans four levels and is dubbed as Australia's highest-selling apartment at A$16.75 million. Below the four-level penthouse there are three sub-penthouses each occupying a whole floor. How many are you going to buy?
Obviously it's a functional modern building, but why do they all have to look like boxes and be so damn ugly? This is the Brisbane City Council offices, with the city library below (in the coloured portion).
When you are in the city and you want somewhere quiet to linger and soak up some 'old world' gentility, you can't go past "Room with Roses" Cafe in the Brisbane Arcade. I've never been, but apparently it is;
"one of the most individual dining experiences in Brisbane. Room with Roses offers distinguished high teas and delightful ‘take home goodies' inspired by our own family recipes, for breakfast, lunch or treats at any time of day".
Built in 1923,this Art Deco arcade is the only one left in it's original form and sits slap-bang in the middle of the city immediately off the main thorougfare, Queen Street.
So, here he is...another devil, sitting on the parapet of the former government printing office. I like to think that rather than being satanic, he has a rather roguish, mischievious grin as he looks down on everyone going about their daily lives. Hope you all have a great day and avoid any imps!
I always like to keep my eyes open when walking around places and many times you will see me with my head looking skyward. Last week I came across this devil of a chap over the doorway of the former government printing office in the city. Apparently there are seven devilish images on the building, (I only saw three), and some have said that they are a representation of the politicians of the day. Nothing seems to change, does it? Come back tomorrow and I'll show you a different one.
A few days ago when I posted a picture of 'The Mansions', http://lincolneye.blogspot.com.au/ noticed the corner of this beautiful French Renaissance Style building. This is the home of the Queensland Parliament, the present building started in 1864, and is Australia's only unicameral State Parliament Here in Queensland we are coming into the last week of electioneering for the state government. Next Saturday it will all be over and done with and we will have either a new government or the current one will be re-elected.
Today we have our last look at 'The Mansions' perfectly reflected in one of the modern office buildings. I wonder which building will still be standing in years to come.
Well, it's not exactly a "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof", but it certainly would get very hot sitting on the edge of 'The Mansions' in the blazing Queensland sun. I wonder if any of you noticed the cat seated at either end of the building in yesterday's photo. There seems to be no information regarding the significance of these feline friends, but here they sit, one paw resting on a ball of wool, surveying their corner of the city.
This magnificent terrace of six three-storeyed houses called 'The Mansions' was built in 1889. They are, thankfully, heritage listed so we can only hope that they will be around for many years to come. One of the famous inhabitants was Dr Lilian Cooper who was the first female doctor registered in Queensland.
