The Public Works Department was responsible for the design of the buildings, the Chief Architect of the time being Andrew Baxter Leven.

The construction of the Great Northern railway line and the development of the beef industry in the north, created modest growth in Townsville in the early twentieth century.

[3] During the 1930s Depression, Labor Premier, William Forgan Smith established a government-initiated works scheme under the Income (Unemployment Relief) Act (1930) to create employment.

[5] The Townsville State Government Offices is a two-storeyed brick building with basement and a hipped corrugated-iron roof.

The facade of the building features two projecting end bays with round arched window and door openings.

The building is decorated with classical design features including the round arched openings and prominent keystones and eaves.

[1] Townsville State Government Offices was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on 13 January 1995 having satisfied the following criteria.

The building complements the adjacent Townsville Customs House, and is harmonious in scale and form, making a significant contribution to the townscape.