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The inaugural Gold Coast Open House, taking place this Saturday, will treat Gold Coasters to a fascinating tour of 24 interesting and significant buildings and spaces in the city.
The first Open House event has received tremendous feedback from Gold Coasters with the late Keith William’s former mansion at Paradise Waters and Q1 tours booked out weeks in advance.
An eclectic mix of historic and contemporary buildings, the event covers the former Southport Town Hall constructed in 1935, now the official chambers of the Mayor of the City of Gold Coast; the Gold Coast’s first ambulance station in Nerang Street with almost 100 years of history; The Southport School, Saint Alban’s Chapel and famous Clock Tower built in the 1920s; and the ’50s and ’60s inspired environment of QT at Surfers Paradise.
Chair of Gold Coast Open House 2015 and Chair of the Gold Coast and Northern Rivers’ branch of the Australian Institute of Architecture, Greg Ewart says another 22 buildings will throw open their doors on Saturday. He explained that some buildings required pre-booking for guided tours but there were many buildings on the list that offered self-guided tours, enabling attendees to wander in, have a look around, and move onto another Open House property.
Some of the popular tour choices include TSS and St Hilda’s with past students planning to take their children and families along to show them around their old school and reminisce about their school days. Abedian School of Architecture at Bond University, Gold Coast University Hospital and Griffith Business School represent brilliant examples of cutting edge architecture. Wilson Architects’ Director John Thong will host two presentations on the design intent of the Griffith Business School, which will be of immense interest to those studying architecture and design.
Gold Coasters with a passion for early Gold Coast history, an interest in the Coast’s first pioneers and settlers, or just a quirky fascination with cemeteries, may want to be part of the pre-booked guided and self-guided tours at Southport Cemetery.
The Gold Coast Aquatic Centre, which will take centre stage during the 2018 Commonwealth Games, has guided tours between 9am and 5pm with visitors getting to see all the facilities including the pump rooms and gyms.
Australian Institute of Architects’ ‘Building of the Year’ The Sphere on Musgrave Avenue at Southport will offer self-guided tours with attendees allowed to wander through the central facilities and rooftop garden of this resort style Gold Coast development.
Hot Tomato House in High Street, Southport will open their doors between 10am and 3pm for guided and self-guided back-of-house tours, where visitors can see first-hand the presenters in their studio delivering music and news live to air. The Surfers Paradise Fire Station will also have self-guided tours, offering an opportunity for children to explore the fire station and meet some of the firefighters who work to protect human life and property.
Attendees of all ages are welcome to participate in the Gold Coast Open House tours. Children can collect a free souvenir badge and activities book at each of the Gold Coast Open House properties.
Tour participants can also take photographs of the buildings and enter the ‘Focus on Architecture’ photographic competition. Sponsored by Hickey Lawyers, the competition is open to junior, amateur and professional photographers, with over $1,400 in prizes to be won across the three categories.
Entry details for the photographic competition and information about guided and self-guided tours, pre-registrations and Gold Coast Open House buildings can be found at www.goldcoastopenhouse.com.au.
