In the 1890s and early 1900s the imposing Treasury Building served as a symbol of self-government and as a focus for celebratory and patriotic displays.

In 1874, a single-storeyed building for the Registrar-General was erected on the corner of George and Queen Streets, anticipating a government re development of what had become known as Treasury Square.

The newly appointed Queensland colonial architect, John James Clark, argued that the site warranted a four-storeyed complex, to be erected in stages as government accommodation was required.

Clark's own neo-Italianate design, entered in the competition prior to his appointment as Queensland colonial architect in September 1883, was used.

[2] When completed in September 1889, the new centre of government administration in Queensland was occupied by the Premier, Colonial Secretary, Registrar-General (in a purpose-built fire-proof section at the corner of William and Elizabeth Streets), Treasury, Mines, Works, Police and Auditor-General.

The documentation and working drawings were prepared by Thomas Pye, re-employed by the colonial architect's office to supervise the project.

[2] In the 1890s and early 1900s the imposing Treasury Building served as a symbol of self-government and as a focus for celebratory and patriotic displays.

[2] In 1901, the proclamation of the Federation of Australia was read by the Governor of Queensland Baron Lamington from a balcony on the William Street elevation.

[2] The front elevation of the third section differed only slightly from Clark's original concept, although structurally and in internal materials and fittings it was a 1920s building.

It was completed, occupied and opened officially in 1928 at a final cost of £137,817, providing expanded accommodation for existing Treasury Building tenants.

The historic building is set to accommodate students and staff from the Schools of Business, Information Technology and Law, and will also serve as a “centre for postgraduate and executive education”.

The view of the William Street facade from the river, although interrupted by South-East Freeway, is enhanced by the elevated position of the site.

A matching porphyry dwarf wall adjoins the building on some elevations surmounted by a wrought iron fence.

The structure of the third phase of the building consists of reinforced concrete slabs supported on loadbearing masonry columns and steel girders.

The main entry is located centrally on the Queen Street facade where a wide flight of stairs leading to three sets of timber-framed glass double doors in arched doorways gives access to a foyer on the ground floor level.

A pair of Ionic columns opposite the entrance frame the central flight of the symmetrically designed grand staircase.

All staircases feature timber handrails, ornamental cast iron balustrades and stair landings that are contrasted with the treads by the use of bold geometric patterning.

Rooms in the William Street wing have decorative cast-iron wall ventilators, marble fireplaces and plaster ceiling roses.

The Cabinet room, positioned in the centre of this wing on the piano nobile, is distinguished by a more embellished plaster ceiling and elaborate carved cedar panels over the doorways.

These partitions consist of a timber stud frame with asbestos cement panelling below head height and patterned glass above.

The building is prominent physical evidence of Queensland's rapid economic growth and associated government confidence and enterprise in the 1880s.

The physical intactness of the building, particularly in the interior spaces, demonstrates the working of Queensland executive and administration government in the late nineteenth century.

The Treasury Building is important in demonstrating a high degree of creative achievement, being a major work by foremost Australian architect JJ Clark.

[2] The place has a special association with the life or work of a particular person, group or organisation of importance in Queensland's history.