Brisbane School of Arts building in CBD to be sold off by council

The historic Brisbane School of Arts building located at 166 Ann Street in the central business district is set to be sold by Brisbane City Council following years of fluctuating plans and ongoing deterioration. Councillors are scheduled to vote on the matter during a meeting on Thursday night, marking a pivotal moment for the building's future. Originally constructed in the 1860s as a clearing house and hostel for domestic servants, the structure has undergone multiple transformations over the years. It was acquired by the Brisbane School of Arts approximately a decade after its initial construction and later came under the ownership of Brisbane City Council in 1965, where it served as a library for many years.

In recent years, the building has faced significant challenges. After being leased to a community group in the 2010s, it eventually closed and fell into disrepair. Deputy Mayor Fiona Cunningham visited the site in March and expressed hopes for private funding to restore or repurpose the location, although she did not indicate at that time that the building would be sold. She emphasized the importance of the building as one of the few remaining heritage landmarks in Brisbane with potential for renewal, stating that securing private sector investment could lead to a new chapter for this iconic structure.

Despite these optimistic sentiments, the council announced earlier this year that they had opened expressions of interest to private operators interested in restoring the building. However, when presenting their 2026-27 budget, the council noted that they had not received any "feasible" proposals, leading them to decide on selling the facility. This decision has sparked criticism from independent councillor Nicole Johnston, who called it a "sneaky ... betrayal of Brisbane’s culture and heritage." She argued that the neglect and inaction by the council, coupled with the proposed sale, represent a cynical attempt to generate revenue for a struggling budget.

The Labor opposition has also voiced concerns, criticizing the current LNP council for failing to adequately preserve and manage the heritage-listed asset. Leader Jared Cassidy described the council's stewardship of the building as a disgrace, highlighting the loss of an iconic piece of Brisbane's history amid heightened community demand for spaces. According to documents shared with councillors prior to their Thursday meeting, the building spans 1009 square meters and is listed on both state and local heritage registers. These documents detail the building's lack of modernization, noting deficiencies such as inadequate electrical, lighting, and fire detection systems, along with missing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, lifts or escalators, and functional bathrooms and kitchens.

The council has indicated that the building will be sold through either a tender process or auction, underscoring the necessity for substantial modernization and reconstruction beyond just the structural shell to make the property operational. The decision to sell the building reflects broader issues surrounding the management of heritage sites within urban environments, raising questions about how such historical assets can be preserved while addressing contemporary needs and financial constraints. As the council prepares to proceed with the sale, the community remains divided on whether this move represents a necessary step towards revitalizing the site or a regrettable loss of cultural heritage.