Rees Rutland Jones was to become one of the best known legal practitioners and prominent public identities in Central Queensland, eventually becoming a member of the Rockhampton Municipal Council, member for Rockhampton North in the Queensland Legislative Assembly, solicitor for the Mount Morgan Mining Company and the town solicitor from the years 1871 until 1896.

The building was erected in the year which sealed the success of the Mount Morgan gold mines and its construction reflected the boom in development which occurred in Rockhampton during the 1880s.

The building occupied one of the most advantageous positions in the city being situated close to the wharves and the other principal business premises along Quay Street.

Rockhampton had been the major port in central Queensland since 1858, handling the pastoral and mineral products from the western settlements and it was the position of the wharves across from Quay Street which fostered the distinctive commercial development in the area.

[2] The Rees R and Sydney Jones Building abuts Quay Street and occupies almost the entire site allotment that adjoins the C J Edwards Chambers on the western side and Cattle House on the east.

The symmetrical facade of the building is cement rendered and strongly modelled with quoin work at each corner and around the front entrance.

Internally the original section of the building consists of a central tiled corridor that provides access to three small carpeted offices on both sides.

[1] The former Rees R and Sydney Jones Building was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992 having satisfied the following criteria.

The prominent Rockhampton legal firm, Rees R and Sydney Jones, has a long association with this building as its first owners and occupants for a period of 90 years.