[4] Construction started in September 2002 and the building was opened on 16 November 2004 by the Premier, Peter Beattie.

The building was designed to provide improved support for victims and their families, and to vulnerable witnesses.

It also contains a range of environmentally sustainable design initiatives including economy-cycle air conditioning, energy efficient lighting, rainwater tanks that hold 46 000 litres of water for use on external landscaping, motion sensors that lower air-conditioning and lighting when rooms are unoccupied, extensive use of passive sun control and low energy glass, solar hot water, and waste streaming systems.

The Brisbane Magistrates Court building is one of the largest infrastructure projects to incorporate the Queensland Government's Art Built-in policy, which requires two per cent of the capital works budget to be spent on art projects within the development.

The building features a range of public artworks including sculptures, murals and paintings.