We know Queensland.
We have designed, constructed or developed some of Queensland’s most iconic buildings
Andrew Petrie founded the Petrie™ business in 1840 in Brisbane, then part of the Moreton Bay penal colony which was still part of New South Wales.
Upon his arrival in Sydney in 1831, Andrew was responsible for the construction of many of the colony's key projects including the Australian College, Goat Island Magazine and Circular Quay.
His reputation as a master builder and architect meant he was requested by the colonial government to take up the position of Superintendent of Works for the Moreton Bay Penal Colony and was attached to the Royal Engineers responsible for the engineering and construction of all buildings within the settlement.
Our Beginnings
“Petrie, who was a man of capacity and energy, long held a prominent place in the public life of Brisbane, residing there until his death in 1872.”
— W.W. Craig 1925
Andrew Petrie took up his appointment as Superintendent of Works in 1837 bringing his family to the military outpost. His arrival aboard the steamer James Watt with his family started the Petrie's long and proud association with Brisbane and Queensland.
The break-up of the penal colony began in 1839, but it was not until 1842 that it was well advanced that the district was declared open for settlement. During this time in 1840, Andrew founded the Petrie business and when the penal colony was closed he chose to stay and is acknowledged as the first free settler of Queensland and the first business in Queensland. The Petries have been designing, construction and developing property in Queensland ever since.
Brisbane 1837
The Petries have been designing, constructing and developing property in Queensland since 1840.
(this image shows Brisbane bottom centre and the Petrie house top left)
Andrew Petrie’s House on the corner of Queen and Wharf Streets 1859
The business has had many offices throughout Queensland including Brisbane, Fortitude Valley, Albion, Toowong, Warwick, Bundaberg, Northgate, Townsville, Carole Park, Auchenflower, and Ashgrove.
The office building in the image on the right was located on Queen Street, at the corner of Queen & Adelaide Streets with Clark Lane behind. It was demolished by the Brisbane City Council to ease road congestion in 1929. This intersection (diagonally opposite the current Marriott Hotel and on the opposite corner of the old National Hotel which has since been demolished) was the location for Brisbane’s first traffic lights.
Andrew Petrie built his house on the outskirts of the colony at what is now Petrie Bight. The house can be seen in 1859 in the image on the left. The business grew from here and over time a large construction yard was located on their property. The stretch of the Brisbane River that the Petrie’s property and house fronted onto was named after the family and is still called Petrie Bight (the Howard Smith Wharves and the Storey Bridge are located on Petrie Bight). Petrie Bight was previously a suburb that incorporated part of the City and part of Fortitude Valley.
John Petrie & Son office building on Queen Street
J. Petrie & Son advertisement
Our continuing range of Services.
The Petrie business has always been multi-skilled and offered services in a range of different fields related to design, construction and property. We have not only constructed buildings but also manufactured many of the components required for their construction including bricks, quarrying stone, venetian blinds, furniture and merchants of stone.
We still offer a range of services in the architectural, construction and development industry.
Petrie business advertisement 1884