Acme Engineering Works

I had a lovely morning with the Brisbane City Sketchers,  sketching the HB SALES Building (Acme Engineering Works) on Margaret Street Brisbane. Designed by Frank Longland and it was built in 1912.

This whole area right down to the Botanic gardens was known as Frogs Hollow.  Frogs Hollow was a low-lying area that stretched from Elizabeth St down to the river at the Botanical Gardens and bounded on the other two sides by George St and Edward St.

If you walk along Edward Street down to Smellie and Co there is a cafe there with Christopher Trotters artwork on the wall and a plaque paying tribute to Frogs Hollow.

The area was not only a swampy area, it was also a bad area, with brothels, in fact it became Brisbane's red light district, where prostitution, sly grog and even opium dens were the norm'.

  A4 Holcroft Sketchbook - Lamy pen, and watercolour

Both of these buildings (there are 2 side by side) Acme Engineering and Watson Bros.. are heritage listed, thank goodness.

Acme Engineering Works remained in the premises until 1928, after which it was owned by Charles Jeays who operated in plumbers' supplies. After WWII the building was occupied by Gardiner Batteries and then HB Sales from 1958. The last couple of inhabitants appear to be vendors of bicycles and accessories.