As you walk along, look to your left. You'll soon see a distinctive building with a cream facade that features three prominent arched windows on the upper floor, creating a kind of Mediterranean-style charm. This is your stop - the Howard Smith Company Building. But don't worry, it won’t sail away!
Let's get a glimpse into its fascinating history. The Howard Smith Company Building is a heritage-listed treasure located at 224 Flinders Street in Townsville CBD. It was masterfully designed by the dynamic duo, Charles Dalton Lynch and Walter Hunt, and built between 1910 and 1911 by Hanson & Sons. Over time, it became known by various names - Paterson Reid & Bruce Ltd Building and Agora House among them. In October 1992, it rightfully earned its place on the Queensland Heritage Register.
This two-storey commercial gem was initially created as the new offices for the Townsville branch of the substantial Australian coastal shipping company, the Howard Smith Company Ltd. Captain William Howard Smith founded the firm back in the early 1850s in Melbourne. It extended its reach to Central Queensland by 1870 and to Townsville in 1882, making notable economic contributions through trade and shipping.
By the 1890s, a Townsville branch had been established, initially leasing a single-storey brick building on Flinders Street before constructing this very building in 1910-11, which they moved into in March 1911. It was lauded for its progressive construction techniques, notably its innovative waterproofing of its concrete roof!
Flash forward to 1969, the building changed hands and continued to evolve. In 1979, its ground floor was transformed into shop spaces, and the name Agora House emerged. A charming residential apartment now occupies the upper floor. So, next time you pass by, tip your hat to this resilient beauty that has stood tall for over a century, adapting and thriving in the heart of Townsville!
