The main building consisted of a single storey timber and masonry structure which contained three dormitories and two day rooms.

[1] The constant growth in admissions of patients to asylums in Queensland prompted the creation of Sandy Gallop as a separate institution.

A major building program was undertaken between 1908 and 1917 at the instigation of James Hogg who was the Inspector of Hospitals for the Insane (1898–1908), and his replacement Henry Byam Ellerton (1909–1937).

[1] As a result of the reorganization of mental health services in 1968, the institution was designated as a training centre for the intellectually disabled.

Attention was given to providing recreational facilities for residents and in 1978 a sporting oval was constructed on part of the site of the former farm.

[1] These building works and improvements were intended to forge a new identity for Challinor and make a distinction from its previous role as a lunatic asylum and mental hospital.

Clients have been encouraged and assisted to move into community based accommodation, and plans are at hand to close the centre totally.

These include:[1] The site is accessed via Parker Avenue which runs alongside the show reserve from the Ipswich Boonah Road.

A feature is the radial planning which facilitated development on the ridge line and allowed buildings to be positioned to provide the best views for patients.

Blair Pavilion is the largest building on the site and is in an arts and crafts style with dark brickwork and stucco walls and a high pitched roof.

Other significant buildings on the site are bungalow style brick structures, low set, allowing patients easy access to the grounds.

[1] Challinor Centre was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on 2 December 1996 having satisfied the following criteria.

The principles of "moral treatment" stressed the importance of providing a pleasant environment for patients, and are evident at Challinor in the extensive vistas, the well designed buildings, the distinct areas of male and female patients, the sunken fences, the gardens and mature trees, water supply, ventilation systems, and provision of employment, and recreation areas.

Challinor Centre is also significant for its pivotal role in the development of services for intellectually disabled in Queensland.

A growing awareness of the special needs of the intellectually disabled in Queensland resulted in the construction of the first facilities for children at Challinor in 1933.

Similar radial planning was used at Claremont Hospital in Western Australia, but the Challinor site is unique in Queensland.

At Challinor the extensive grounds and views from the site are one of the most striking aspects and are of significance in demonstrating the principles of "moral treatment".

The south-eastern section of the golf course is significant as an open space over which there are extensive views to the south and south-east.

No other building within the network of Queensland asylums more successfully demonstrates the principal aspects of 'moral treatment': the combination of large dormitories and single cells illustrates the separation of patients according to type of insanity; the design of the building, the sunken fences and the impressive vistas in all directions shows the importance attached to pleasant surrounds; the sophisticated ventilation system and large windows highlights the importance given to lighting and fresh air; and the remnants of the exercise yards and tennis court reveal the importance given to exercise and recreation.

The external aspects of the ventilation system have been skilfully incorporated into the roof design in the form of large fleches.

The administration building was designed by A S Hook, a young English architect, who after a brief period of employment with the Queensland Department of Works, had a successful and important architectural career in New South Wales.

Both buildings and the layout of their features, such as sunken fences were located on a radial grid which ran around the ridge of the site in an arc.