[1] The two-storeyed office section of this large reinforced concrete building was erected for Dalgety & Co. Ltd in 1923-24 and the single-storeyed warehouse, which fronts Denham Street, was constructed in 1924-25.

Dalgety and Co. Ltd. played a significant role in the development of the pastoral industry (particularly through wool brokerage and property investment) in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Dalgety had emerged as a major provisioner to North Queensland pastoralists and farmers and purpose built Townsville premises would consolidate their position.

In 1920 Dalgety & Co. acquired title to a site at the northern corner of Denham and Sturt Streets, which had remained vacant since the destruction by fire of the Day Dawn Hotel some twenty years before.

The company commissioned Walter Hunt, arguably Townsville's most experienced architect, to prepare plans for new offices and warehouse facilities.

A number of single storeyed shops and offices in reinforced concrete were commissioned including a large residence in Flinders Street for Dr Anton Breinl, Walter Hunt being the architect.

At the time building materials in Townsville were significantly higher in price than in the south owing to high transport costs.

While it was expected that this would be relieved by the completion of the North Coast railway line to Townsville, face bricks from Brisbane still cost £20 per 1000, thus giving prominence to alternative building materials.

Although the office section was only two-storeys, it gave the appearance of a three-storeyed building, with the ground floor 7 feet (2.1 m) above the Sturt Street pavement at the main entrance.

[1] The design and choice of material was noted for its cyclone resistance with ample provision made for light, ventilation and modern sanitary arrangements.

[1] Dalgety & Co.'s Townsville branch offered a range of financial and merchandising services which helped sustain the North Queensland pastoral sector.

In 1925-26 the firm advertised as financial, insurance, stock and station and shipping agents; wool, grain and produce brokers; and general merchants, with Queensland branches at Brisbane, Rockhampton, Townsville and Toowoomba and sub-branches at Charleville, Longreach, Hughenden and Blackall.

The firm also merchandised a range of practical products for farmers and graziers, such as fencing wire, gates and steel droppers and was an agent for motor cars such as Daimler, Austin and Rover and Halley and Lacre commercial lorries.

[1] After World War Two Dalgety & Co.'s commercial focus shifted to more general lines such as groceries, hardware, wine and spirits.

[2] The Dalgety Offices and its former warehouse frontage are located at the corner of Denham and Sturt streets within the central business district of Townsville.

[1] The Office building is a substantial structure situated on a corner block facing both Denham and Sturt streets.

At its highest point on the Sturt Street side, the plinth stands at a height of 6 feet (1.8 m) and originally set an impressive entrance to the main office building.

This entrance area is flanked by four partly fluted decorative pilasters, which incorporate neo-classical details and small Ionic capitals and is capped by a modest concrete cornice.

[1] On either side of the main Sturt Street entrance more modest pilasters extend from the plinth level through to the parapet giving a uniform visual effect.

On both Denham and Sturt streets above the base plinth are white painted top hung aluminum windows situated at regular intervals.

[1] The high parapet of the office portion of the building conceals an unusual five vaulted roof of steel construction and built in separate sections.

Half of the internal floor is the original height and is constructed of ex 5 inches (130 mm) hardwood boards and extends to the back of the building.

Original features on the second level include 6 inches (150 mm) hoop pine floorboards, fibrolite ceiling with timber strapping, simple cornice and floor mouldings and no internal architraves around the windows.

[1] Dalgety's warehouse section has been converted into a shopping arcade which is accessed through a concrete tiled ramp and has a painted aluminum roller door.

One business accessed from Denham Street has an aluminum and glass door fitted in the space originally occupied by a window.

[1] Due to the retention of many internal features, the overall size, aesthetic street elevations and position on a corner block, the integrity of the building remains high.

It provides evidence of the 1920s building boom during which a number of substantial warehouse and offices in Townsville were constructed and reflects an important period of north Queensland rural prosperity.

The place is a good example of the work of influential Townsville architect Walter Hunt, who designed a number of reinforced concrete commercial buildings in the 1920s and 1930s.

Through its scale, design, materials and decorative detailing, the building presents an aesthetic exterior and makes an important contribution to Townsville's inner city townscape.

As the Townsville offices and warehouse of Dalgety & Co Ltd for over half a century, the place has a special association with one of the largest and most successful pastoral firms in Australia.