 Initially intended as offices for the Lands and Survey Departments, it was finished and occupied in 1905 as the Executive Building, accommodating both the Lands and Survey Departments and offices of the Premier and Executive Council.It is the most prominent Brisbane example of Queensland Government building activity associated with the economic recovery of the late 1890s and with the Federation of Australia.In 1898-1899 plans were prepared under the supervision of chief architect Thomas Pye of the Queensland Government Architect's office.