The complex, on half an acre of land, also included a temporary brick kitchen, servant's rooms, outhouses and wooden stables.

The Union Bank had been cautious to keep the cost of the 1864 building close to £3000 as re-sale was a possibility because of some uncertainty, in these early years, of Rockhampton's future as a commercial city.

[1] The bank occupied one of the most advantageous positions in the city being situated on Quay Street close to the wharves and the other principal business premises.

[1] Development in Rockhampton and in Quay Street escalated greatly during the 1880s due to the immense wealth generated by the discovery of gold at Mount Morgan.

The establishment in 1903 of the North Coast railway line to Brisbane caused the importance of the port to diminish and further commercial development in Rockhampton to be more closely tied to the city centre.

GHM Addison had previously sustained a successful career in Brisbane from 1886, establishing himself as a prominent architect being responsible for the design and completion of the Exhibition Building in 1891.

[1] Cattle House, the former Union Bank of Rockhampton, is a substantial two storeyed load bearing masonry building on Quay Street, facing north-east overlooking the Fitzroy River.

The building, like the nearby former National Bank, employs classical architectural features, most prominently a double storeyed arcaded loggia on the principal Quay Street facade.

[1] The arcaded loggia on the upper floor has fine rounded arched bays, corresponding to those on the ground level but with shorter supports.

The archways rest on rendered masonry imposts which taper gradually towards the arch supports giving the opening a complex curved shape.

All this is surmounted by a parapet of Italianate balusters divided into sections by squat piers which align with the pilasters on the ground and first floor levels.

The northern end, where access is provided to the ground floor, is fitted with a double multi panelled door of painted timber, flanked by side lights and all surmounted by a semi-circular fanlight.

The other entrance, at the southern end, and providing access to the stair hall is fitted with a double timber door of also of multi-panelled design, flanked by long thin window openings and surmounted by a semi-circular fanlight.

Erected in 1903 as premises for the Union Bank of Australia, Cattle House forms part of the historic Quay Street precinct in Rockhampton which is distinguished by its late 19th century commercial buildings.

The Quay Street precinct stands as a legacy to the activities of the Port of Rockhampton which served the vast area of central Queensland from 1858.

The solidity of the buildings were a symbol of Rockhampton's great wealth during the latter 19th century which was precipitated by the success of the Mount Morgan gold mines discovered in 1882.

Cattle House possesses important aesthetic value contributing significantly to the streetscape of Quay Street which retains the character of a nineteenth century quayside.

Cattle House has special association for the people of Rockhampton through its significant aesthetic and historic contribution to Quay Street.