Experience
Our Heritage
Our heritage-listed Manor Apartment Hotel (then the Colonial Mutual Life Building), was Brisbane’s first notable high rise, opened by his Excellency the Governor, Sir John Goodwin on 12 November, 1931, as the new Head Office of the Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society. Apart from the City Hall, this multi-storey structure was a familiar landmark and one of the tallest buildings in the city for the next fifty years. Designed by Hennessey, Hennessey & Co, it was acclaimed as a ‘monument of the construction industry’ and presented as a ‘paragon of architecture’.
Utilizing a steel framed construction, the structure features a style of sculptured ornament unique in Brisbane architecture. The Art-Deco detailing is executed in synthetic Benedict stone and based on the Romanesque style. Prominent among the projecting ornamental motifs, commonly referred to as ‘gargoyles’, are the lion, the owl and a stylised eagle. The style of the building reflects a transitional period of architecture between World War I and II when classical forms and detailing were still employed in the multi-story building format.
Later owners Queensland Newspapers (a subsidiary of News Corporation and publisher of The Courier-Mail newspaper) purchased the site in September 1983, cleaned and repaired the exterior and re-opening the building as Newspaper House on 11th September 1985.
It wasn’t until 1994 the building was converted and fully refurbished to become The Manor Apartment Hotel. The 1930’s origins of the building still evident in the classically spacious and high-ceilinged interiors.
Enjoy Brisbane’s best located hotel, set in a charming, peaceful, heritage listed building.
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