King George Square

A visit to a well-known public square leads to a rich history coming

from its namesake. King George Square, positioned between Ann Street and Adelaide Street (and between two areas of Albert Street),

in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Close to King George Square is Brisbane City Hall.

Initially, Albert Street bounded west from the Botanic Gardens as distant as Ann Street and the original city establishments. A square was situated between Ann Street and Adelaide Street, south of Albert Street and was named Market Square. This fitted the place of the Brisbane City Hall.

The City Hall was set back from Albert Street and this widened area of the street, and some land north of Albert Street, was renamed Albert Square in honor of Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria. Ensuing the demise of King George V in 1936, the square was extended to contain the area that had been Albert Street, and renamed King George Square in honor

of the ruler.

sandstone plinths, as a portion of the George V memorial, which was bared in 1938, as a honorarium to the King from the residents of Brisbane.
Vehicular traffic, composing a trolley-bus path, functioned through the square until 1969, when the roadway was closed to traffic.

Buildings on the northern side of the square was obtained by the City Council and abolished, as work began on the construction of the underground

King George Square Car Park.  

A round-shaped fountain, found in the center of King George Square, was also removed, and a rectangular-shaped fountain constructed.

As a direct aftermath of the current (2005–2007) dryness, the water in the rectangular-shaped fountain has been briefly substituted by a distinguishing "Watersense garden" with drought-resistant plants.

There are statues of some well-known Queenslanders in a special area of King George Square, known as the "Speakers' Corner".

The statues are of Emma Miller (1839-1917), Steele Rudd (1868-1935) and Sir Charles Lilley (1830-1897). Bronze sculptures from the Expo '88

area have also been integrated into the square's design. During the next two years, the lower two levels of the King George Square Car Park will be transformed into the King George Square Busway Station. With the establishment of the King George Square Busway Station, King George Square

is once again being redeveloped. A design contest was held for the redevelopment of the Square.