[2] Though initially Torbreck was only designed so far as a single perspective sketch, the project drew headlines, due to intense publicity efforts of developer Rowley Pimley.

[3] As the first high-rise residential project in Queensland, Torbreck received a considerable amount of public interest and media coverage throughout its inception and construction.

[4] The original sponsor of the scheme was Rowley Pym, a former Western Queensland fencing contractor, whose grandmother is understood to have owned the first Torbreck, a c. 1876 house whose name meant top of the hill.

Their work was influenced by post-Second World War International Style, particularly the North American model, which had a strong impact on architecture in Queensland in the 1950s.

The eight-storeyed garden block was constructed using the lift-slab technique, whereby the roof and floors were prefabricated on the ground, then hoisted into position by jacks mounted on the vertical wall supports.

[2] Rowley Pym formed Torbreck Real Estate Brokers to market the new development, and most of the units were sold before the complex was completed.

The promotional literature offered Queenslanders a share of the American dream that had reached Australia via the Hollywood cinema: spectacular views, an acre of landscaped gardens, and luxurious, convenient, secure, private accommodation, with an estimated running cost to each owner of 10/- per week.

Each of the 150 home units was designed with at least one private balcony, and was fitted with built-ins, electric kitchen, two telephone connections (bedroom and lounge), sewerage and garbage disposal facilities, washing machine and clothes drier.

[2] Due to spiralling construction costs and/or lack of Brisbane City Council approval, some of the more elaborate aspects of the scheme had to be abandoned: shopping facilities and professional suites at ground level; basement laundry service; a top-class restaurant offering room service; a terrace cafe; roof and indoor gardens; and a tennis court, putting green and fully equipped children's playground.

By mid-1959, the developers were sufficiently confident in the success of Torbreck to announce preliminary plans and schematic designs for Torbreck-Surfers Paradise and Torbreck-Burleigh.

[2] In 1962/1963 the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (Queensland Chapter) awarded AH Job and RP Froud with a commendation for the Garden Block at Torbreck.

It is a soft-modernist high-rise building, located between Dornoch Terrace and Chermside Street, on approximately 6,521 square metres (70,190 sq ft) of land.

[2] The external form of the Tower Block comprises vertically articulated concrete bays projecting out to the cardinal points from a brick core.

[2] The Dornoch Terrace entrance comprises a tiled undercroft with substantial square columns, adjacent to a leasable space with a faceted glass wall.

The balconies and verandahs have concrete planters with sloped steel balustrades above, flanked by frosted glass panels, providing both privacy and views.

The observation tower has sloping glass walls which assist viewing, and contains a central stainless steel and brass direction dial.

It also demonstrates a clear 1950s aesthetic sensibility in its articulation of external forms, and its use of materials, in particular the use of texture in the brick and concrete work, and in its use of steel louvres.

The development was originally designed to provide social and public amenity with a mix-used ground floor, having facilities such as shops and restaurants, these were never built.

[4] As well as informing Torbreck's planning, technologies such as the innovative aluminium vertical blade sun shading system were incorporated to manage breezes, solar heat and glare impact and maximise the use of natural light within the building.

The term lift-slab defines a style of construction in which each floor, and the roof are pre-fabricated on the ground in a stack and raised into position along vertical wall supports.

Provisions were made for television points (TV was relatively new) and each apartment had a gas clothes drying cupboard and the building boasted a filtered water supply via rooftop tanks.

Apparently there was little security in the early years and Highgate Hill locals used to walk through the lobby off Dornoch Tce and exit on Chermside St via the Garden Block lift as a short cut.