The building is located on the corner of George and Turbot Streets in Brisbane city and was designed by the notable local architectural firm, Chambers and Powell.

[1] Queensland's first friendly society was established in 1843, members paid a monthly fee and were then entitled to claim sick and funeral benefits as necessary.

Pharmacists were less "protectionist" than doctors and Associated Friendly Societies (AFS) dispensaries were established throughout the capital cities of Australia.

At the Annual Meeting in February 1915, it was reported that the membership had reached a total of 13,000 and that the property on George Street had been secured at the cost of £4080 for the purposes of building their own premises.

Powell went on to do further architectural work for the BAFS, such as re-furbishing the building they purchased in 1919 at 146 Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley.

[1] The George Street building was designed as a "head dispensary", intended to showcase the success and progress of the BAFS.

The inscription of "1885-1916" on the George Street facade clearly reflected the Society's desire to maintain links with their history in Brisbane.

A souvenir booklet written in 1916 claimed "it stands as a monument to the enterprise and progressiveness of the Associated Friendly Societies and is an acquisition to the architecture of George Street and the city, generally".

The building was a hub of Lodge activity, the shops and offices of the "BAFS Chambers" were constantly let and included tenants such as a milliner, a masseuse and a car hire firm.

One half of the top floor was used as a hall by Lodges who did not have their own premises, as well as for BAFS annual and quarterly meetings and a variety of social events such as smoke concerts.

The head office of the Society is no longer at George Street, and both the Fortitude Valley and Woolloongabba premises have been sold.

The building has sculptured, parapetted facades to both George and Turbot Streets which feature carefully detailed Classical and Art Deco-style decorative elements.

The upper floor windows have moulded surrounds with Art Deco-style decoration at the top that comprises a stepped pattern around a central keystone.

[1] The George Street facade is symmetrically composed, with a central feature at upper level of a small balcony supported on corbels with a wrought iron balustrade.

A deep awning returns around the corner a short distance into Turbot Street and is supported by iron tie-back rods.

The slightly recessed entrance to the offices (BAFS Chambers) leads to a small vestibule and concrete stairwell providing access to the upper floors.

An arched doorway leads to a hallway on the left that provides access to the BAFS offices and a small barbershop.

A vault where medicines and pharmaceutical materials were previously stored is located in the space underneath the upper stairwell.

The BAFS Building demonstrates rare aspects of Queensland's cultural heritage, being surviving purpose-built premises constructed by an association of Friendly Societies to accommodate a diverse range of their activities.

The building was a focus and gathering point for a large number of Friendly Societies and their members, used for meetings and social occasions.