PHOENIX BUILDINGS, 647 Stanley Street
The State Heritage-listed ‘Phoenix Buildings’ at 647 Stanley St, cr Merton St, Woolloongabba has an interesting history. Since the 1860s the section of Stanley St between Merton Rd and Annerley Rd has been known as Clarence Corner.
The building consists of a block of six two-storeyed attached rendered brick shops which were built in 1889-1890 for William Davies, a successful mining entrepreneur. It is one of the few commercial buildings designed by renowned architect RICHARD GAILEY who is more generally known for his beautiful designs of many famous Brisbane landmarks including the Regatta Hotel, the CML Building, the Empire Hotel and, of course, the Story Bridge Hotel, Chalk Hotel and Lord Stanley Hotel in our areas.
It was first advertised for rent in July 1890 and had a variety of tenants including a chemist, an undertaker and a bank.
In 1920 a Lebanese immigrant , Calile Malouf , bought the building and established a family drapery business. Malouf and Sons became one of Brisbane’s most successful retail businesses which traded there until
1986. It is now home to a golf warehouse.