paddington Archives - Page 13 of 13

Paddington Gaol Turned Lifestyle Barracks Still a Landmark

If you’re in Paddington, then you probably go to The Barracks to dine, shop or unwind. The place has everything you need. Unbeknownst to some though, this place holds a significant amount of interesting history.

Did you know that this area was once actually a gaol? In 1860, the first major purpose built gaol for free settlers was built by Andrew Petrie. In 1912. new buildings were built and became the Petrie Terrace Police Depot. In 1938-39, the main Barracks was built to house unmarried police officers and those who are on probation. When World War II rolled around, it was turned into an observation post and by 1970s, it was used as the headquarters for police.

In 1987, the State Government sold the buildings to a private enterprise and by 2007, the Brisbane City Council and the government approved the development application for the $120-million mixed-use development.

The newly-transformed Barracks opened for business in 2008 with several restaurants such as Hog’s Breath Cafe & Peasant Spanish Restaurant. There are also cinemas here where you can catch the latest flicks.

The Barracks today Photo credit: Arkhefield

For your shopping needs, there is a Coles Supermarket, a beauty bar and many more that will accommodate your daily needs.

Ten years after opening, Paddington’s gaol turned lifestyle barracks is still a major landmark in the area.

Make Fresh Christmas Wreaths at Francesca’s Flowers in Paddington

Christmas is around the corner and a Christmas wreath workshop is up for grabs on 21st December at Francesca’s Flowers in Paddington from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The point of having a workshop days before Christmas is to keep the wreaths fresh and wonderful that can last the whole month. Enjoy a cup of tea and cake while learning as well.

The workshop will bleed by experienced floral designers within the florist shop and all flowers and materials will be included.

The workshop fee is $120.00 and you can book here. They also have a Facebook Group that you can join in to keep up-to-date with the latest workshops.

Address: 46 Latrobe Terrace

Subsidised Pet Microchipping Happening in Paddington

Dog and cat owners in and around Paddington will have a chance to get their pets microchipped at an affordable price on Saturday, 9 September 2017.

Pet microchipping events have been hosted by the Brisbane City Council every year for the past five years. These events allow cat and dog owners to avail of microchipping at a subsidised rate of $30 per pet. Pet owners can then register their dog or cat to add them to the centralised animal microchip records database.

An early-bird rate of $20 will be provided to those who will register online. Register online.

Event Details

What:	Pet Microchipping Day – Paddington
When:	Saturday, 9 September 2017 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Where:	Neal Macrossan Playground Park 14 Caroline Street, Paddington
Cost:	Online registration – $20 On the day – $30Register Online

Photo credit: CCO Public Domain/cocoparisienne/Pixabay

The pet microchipping day at Paddington will also provide access to pet-related services and products as well as expert advice on animal management.

Breeders coming to the event must have their Breeders Supply Number. To learn more about breeder requirements, read the Dog breeder regulation from the Queensland Government website.

Microchipping Benefits

Microchipping provides a permanent form of electronic identification to cats and dogs. With an implant the size of a grain of rice, the microchip contains a barcode with the contact details of the owner.

Pets that are microchipped are permanently identifiable across the country, so they can be returned safely to the owner in case they get lost. Owners should contact the microchip registry in case they change address.

Upcoming Microchipping Events

The council offers pet microchipping events as part of its commitment to implement the Queensland Government Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008.

In 2017, the council will be holding microchipping events from September to November at different locations in Brisbane.

Aside from the Paddington event, there will also be microchipping events at Nundah and Bracken Ridge in October. Ferny Grove and Tarragindi will be host the November microchipping events.

Get Directions

Paddington’s Sinmei Tea Room Offers an Authentic Asian Cup of Tea

A little alcove for authentic Asian tea lies on Latrobe Terrace in Paddington. The Sinmei Tea Room is West Brisbane’s version of an exotic little Hong Kong tea house.

The Sinmei Tea Room was founded in Hong Kong in 2008 and is a go-to place for HK locals in the former British colony. Since its entry into the Australian market, the Sinmei Tea Room has become quite a hit among the locals.

The tea room has an eclectic menu with Asian dishes such as the vegetarian Bibimpap, Hakka Thunder tea rice, Hot Tea Soba and Liang Mian.

The main attraction, of course, remains to be its selection of authentic teas straight from Hong Kong. Customers can choose between hot and cold teas. Its most popular item on the menu is the Hong Kong Milk Tea, a definite must-try.

For something more unique, order their Iced Ginger Honeycomb Tea or their Organic Hojicha Latte tea.

Photo credit: Sinmei Tea Room / Facebook

They also offer the full tea experience, with a Tea Ceremony that includes variants like Da Hong Pao or the Pu Erh Vintage 2003.

The High Tea Set includes scone with jam and cream and a selection of assorted cakes.

If you’re not up for some adventure and are simply longing for the familiar, their English Breakfast Tea is always available and always impeccably prepared.

Of course, tea time wouldn’t be complete without some delicious treats on the side. Choose from a wide selection of tea cakes such as Matcha Chocolate Shortbread or the Earl Grey Angel Cake.

Time for a tea break!

Paddington Homes Maintain Their Traditional 1880s Style After All These Years

Typical 19th-century houses that date from the 1880s are very visible along the streets of Paddington. The classical houses with whimsical designs have been a staple in the suburb and have become an integral part of the suburb’s unique profile. Over the years, houses in Paddo have undergone renovations in an attempt to evolve to the modern times. One developer, however, believes that re-gentrification of homes in the suburb is the way to go, earning a massive number of nods from the residents.

When Empathy Meets Real Estate Development

James Lilley who hails from the suburb itself has his own real estate development company, Brisbane Prestige Developments. What they do is re-gentrify homes to preserve Paddo’s period charm, through the use of traditional styles and features in their new developments as well as renovations.

Given this direction, Mr Lilley’s clients are happy homeowners. They allow neighbours to have a say on their upcoming developments by involving them throughout the whole planning process up to building the house. Mr Lilley admits that even though they implement such a process, it doesn’t always go smoothly the way they planned it. There are times when they have to do other development works at their own cost, just for the neighbours.

Still, all’s well that ends well. Mr Lilley remains determined to continue this kind of real estate development as he thinks that it preserves the history of the entire suburb. Jonathan Sri, West End Councillor praises Mr Lilley’s efforts. He’s been actively protesting the lack of consultation between developers and the locals, and he is very happy that a developer in his ward is doing the right thing.

Houses Preserved In Time

A renovation done at Annie Street is a perfect example of the kind of re-gentrification that Mr Lilley’s company aims to do. The home’s renovation represents the traditional style and structure of Paddo homes whilst giving it a fresh new look. Still, the home blends well with the neighbourhood, making it more beautiful than ever.

Photo credit: Brisbane Prestige Developments

The Apartments at Wilden Street also preserves the period style of Paddo homes, even whilst it adheres to modern times with its smart black and glass frontage that makes it look chic but definitely not out-of-place.

Treat Your Pooch to Beer for Doggies at Paddington’s Atticus Finch Cafe

No need to feel sorry that you have to leave your dog behind when Happy Hour strikes. Atticus Finch Cafe in Paddington lets you and your dog enjoy a drink together.

Atticus Finch Cafe is not just a dog-friendly café. From Friday to Sunday, starting 4 p.m, the cafe turns into a bar serving drinks for humans and dogs alike.

In many ways, the cafe is unique. Named after the protagonist in To Kill a Mockingbird, this tiny cafe located at Latrobe Terrace, will easily give you the impression that it’s a place with a heart.

*(Photo credit: Atticus Finch Cafe/Festival)*

Regulars come here not only for its coffee. The food is top-notch as well. On top of that, this is a must-visit place for any dog-loving human who wants to treat their furry friend to outdoor dining every now and then.

There is a lot of seats on the outdoor deck and every dog is welcome to relax and sit down with their human.

Doggies Drink Up

On weekends, busy folks can cap their work week with a jug of beer at Atticus Finch Cafe. The best thing is that they can bring their dogs to the bar. Atticus Finch serves a top selection of craft beers for humans and Beerdog’s Bitter for the dogs.

Aptly dubbed as “Nectar of the Dogs,” Beerdog’s Bitter is a sure hit with the doggies.

Don’t worry about your dog getting drunk. The drink is non-alcoholic and is made from 100% AQIS certified Australian beef. Ingredients are all natural and there are no preservatives, so the beverage is safe for your dog.

Get directions to Atticus Finch Cafe.

(Photo credit: Beerdog’s Brewhouse/Facebook)

Paddington’s Montrachet Still Tres Bon

Located at Given Terrace in Paddington, Montrachet is considered to be one of the best French restaurants in Brisbane. In early 2015, Thierry and Carol Galichet sold Montrachet to Shannon Kellam and Clare Wallace, who now runs the place.

Although the change of management has been met with some apprehension when it turned hands due concerns that the appeal of what has become an icon in Brisbane will be lost, the new owners soon proved naysayers wrong. Not only have they kept the core values of the Brisbane icon intact, with just a little tweaks on the menu, the interior, and the food preparation, Montrachet has been reborn in a familiar, yet distinctively upscaled way.

Montrachet, aside from having impeccable French food, is also acclaimed for its outstanding service. And indeed, Chef Kellam has made sure that the excellent service continues.

Regulars at the restaurant will still see some familiar faces among the Paddington staff and several familiar dishes on the menu. The food, already excellent, has also been transformed. Plating and presentation is now more ornate, leaning towards fancy, and tres jolis.

The interior of the Montrachet has been styled to evoke a Parisian bistro atmosphere, complete with a red leather banquet running the entire length of the room, a black marbled bar overlooking the kitchen, and a restaurant oozing with glitz and glam.

Other interior details include French antiques, metal pastis signs and gilt framed mirrors that complete the French ambience. Large frosted windows envelop the place in luxurious intimacy.

The menu still contains old favourites such as the streak frites, cheese shuffle, and garlicky buttery snails. There are also new dishes on the menu such as the confit of duck and the pork cheek on potato galette.

On Friday nights, the restaurant holds a five-course degustation featuring creative dishes by the kitchen brigade, pumped with seasonal and regional flavours to satisfy one’s palate.

Don’t be intimidated by the totally French wine list. There are wines selections for every budget and their sommelier will only be too happy to help you make a selection.

Bon appetit!

Photo credit: Montrachet / Facebook

Red Hill’s St Brigid’s Church: The 100-yr-old Landmark On the Hill

A striking red brick structure can be seen, perched on top of the hills that provide sweeping views of the suburb of Red Hill. This red brick building is St. Brigid’s, designed by the prominent architect Robin Dods and modelled after a 13th-century French cathedral.

Compared with other Catholic churches in Europe that are often adorned with carvings, ancient paintings and elaborately patterned stained glass, St. Brigid’s interior is a little bit more austere. The design, inspired by St. Cecile’s Cathedral at Albi in the South of France, features gothic elements and Romanesque styles.

Photo credit: http://www.catholicleader.com.au

In designing St. Brigid’s, Architect Dods also took into consideration the Brisbane climate. Everything in the building, from the height of structure, its windows, balconies, French doors, arches and its open chancel, was designed to accommodate the suburb’s changing climate.

Coming-of-age of Catholics in Brisbane

St. Brigid’s is a church with some significance to the whole of Brisbane, owing to its visibility from all directions. It was the largest parish in Brisbane when it was built between 1912 and 1914 by Thomas Keenan, a well-known builder in the early 20th century. The church was built to accommodate 1,000 people.

The opening ceremony of St. Brigid’s in 1915 was a big day for the Catholic community in Brisbane. The church represented the coming-of-age of the Catholics in a city that was dominated by Anglicans.

The name St. Brigid’s was derived from an Irish female saint, St Brigid of Kildare. Her life-size statue can be seen above the church’s entrance porch. St. Brigid herself is known for healing and was said to be very domesticated during her lifetime.

Heritage Building

Today, St. Brigid’s is one of six churches in the Jubilee parish. Widely regarded as one of Brisbane’s major landmarks, the church just celebrated its centennial year in 2014. Due to its heritage, the church is now a part of the National Trust as one of its heritage buildings.

Photo credit: www.catholicleader.com.au