Being the oldest Australian diplomatic mission as well as being the longest continuously occupied foreign mission in London, Australia House is on the UK statutory list of Government buildings as a category II building.

Roof Upgrade

Almost a Century after it was built, BRAC Contracts were delighted to receive the privileged commission to strip out and replace the roof of this vitally important building. To read more about this project click here.

The Australian High Commission – A Lasting Monument

The building is located on the corner of an island site where a huge demolition scheme, some years before, had left an empty triangular plot of land. Having been left empty for so long, it was reported that wild flowers grew there! In 1912 the Australian Government bought the freehold of the entire site. The cost of the land was just under £380,000 but the building and other associated costs brought total expenditure to about £1 million.

The building was designed by Scottish architects, A. Marshal Mackenzie and Son, following an architectural competition. The judges reported “we are united in the opinion that this building will be a lasting monument to the importance of the Commonwealth and a splendid addition to the architecture of London”.

It was King George V who laid the first foundation stone in 1913 but World War 1 stalled its full construction because of labour shortages and shipping difficulties.  However, the High Commissioner and former Australian Prime Minister, Mr Andrew Fisher, and some of his staff were able to move into temporary offices on the site in 1916, while work went on around them. King George V officially opened the building on 3 August 1918.

If you would like to discuss this project or a project that you feel is suitable for BRAC Contracts then please contact Adam Clark on adam@brac-contracts.co.uk or telephone 01268 573933.