Collection: McWhirters Building: Fortitude Valley

The McWhirters Building in Fortitude Valley is a significant heritage landmark that reflects Brisbane’s rise as a major retail centre in the early twentieth century. Founded by Scottish immigrant James McWhirter, the business began as a drapery shop in 1898 and expanded rapidly, with the large department store complex constructed in stages between the early 1900s and 1931 to occupy an entire city block 1&2. At its peak, McWhirters was one of Brisbane’s largest and most popular retail destinations, helping establish Fortitude Valley as a shopping precinct 3. The building was later taken over by Myer in 1955 and has since been redeveloped into a mix of retail and residential uses, while remaining an important example of historic commercial architecture in Brisbane 4.

References:

• McWhirters - Wikipedia 1
  
• McWhirters Building Conservation Management Plan 2
  
• McWhirters Bulk Store (former) - Heritage Places 3
  
• McWhirters Building | Must Do Brisbane 4