THEY are rich in history, steeped in grandeur and shy from the public eye. Some of Brisbane’s grandest homes are on the market for the first time in decades. TAKE A LOOK INSIDE …
THEY are rich in history, steeped in grandeur and often hidden from the public eye.
But now, some of Brisbane’s grandest homes are on the market for the first time in decades, giving residents a rare chance to peek inside a piece of the city’s past.
And, boy, do they have some stories to tell.
One is the former home of a Queensland premier, another housed the British Trade Commissioner and then there’s one of the oldest homes still standing in the city.
House prices might be softening nationally, but the top end of the market in Brisbane is going strong — and the grander the home, the better.
Recent sales prove historic homes are hot property.
The landmark Hamilton home known as ‘Cremorne’, built by a publican in 1905, sold for $5.97 million, while a hilltop estate at 4 Welwyn Crescent in Coorparoo sold for more than $5 million in August — setting a new sale price record for the suburb.
A 1930s Ascot estate belonging to the boss of Domino’s Pizza fetched $11 million earlier this year.
And they don’t get much grander than the mansion on Hamilton Hill built by the late disgraced businessman, Christopher Skase, which sold for more than $10 million — although the former owner had hoped it would fetch more.
Here are some of the grandest historic homes on the market in Brisbane right now:
1. ‘Nareke’ – 50 Dauphin Tce, Highgate Hill
No price guide: For sale via tender
Last sold for $6.55m in 2008
Built on the site of General Douglas MacArthur’s home during the Pacific campaign, this ornate Victorian-style mansion is one of the most admired residences on the Brisbane River.
Owned by doctors Chris and Tania Bradshaw, the riverfront estate was only established in 1996, but looks like something from a bygone era.
The landmark home comes with a five storey-high turret and dome, which opens up for stargazing.
It has seven bedrooms, two studies, four bathrooms, room for five cars and a pool, and sits on a huge 3923sq m block.
Records show the house sold for $4.35 million, plus $2.2 for the additional land a decade ago.
2. ‘Cintra House’ – 23 Boyd St, Bowen Hills
No price guide
Last sold for $2.1m in 2001
One of Brisbane’s oldest surviving homes, ‘Cintra House’ is a circa 1860s estate on the fringe of the CBD.
The heritage-listed, prominent white landmark is a rare example of Georgian architecture — built entirely of stone — and has been home to a number of residents of note over the years.
Former Queensland premier Boyd Dunlop Morehead lived there with his wife and eight children for a number of years and in the 1970s, it was owned by prominent Brisbane builder Noel Kratzman, who carried out a number of renovations.
The original two-storey floorplan is largely intact, save for a couple of additions that were made in the late 1800s, including a bay projection and verandahs with ornate balustrades.
Today, it stands as a majestic six-bedroom, three-bathroom family home on 3050 square metres of private hilltop land.
It features marble fireplaces, 3.6-metre-high ornate ceilings, a full-size championship tennis court and a swimming pool.
Records show the property last sold for $2.1 million 17 years ago.
3. ‘Rooklyn’ – 4 Sutherland Ave, Ascot
Price guide: $3.4m
Last sold for $46,000 in 1972
A grand and stately residence in one of Ascot’s most sought-after streets, ‘Rooklyn’ has been held by the same family for 47 years.
The historic circa 1910 home is filled with traditional character features and has five bedrooms and three bathrooms.
Marketing agent Vaughan Keenan of Grace and Keenan said the beauty of the home was that it had never been “bastardised”.
“It’s one of those rare houses where all the original features are still intact,” Mr Keenan said.
“One of the bathrooms still has the original terrazzo floor.”
Mr Keenan said he was in negotiations with three potential buyers who had made offers.
“The Sutherland Avenue address is a big drawcard for people because it’s one of THE streets in Brisbane,” he said.
The property comes with a $3.4 million price tag.
4. 50 Riverview Tce, Hamilton
No price guide: Sale by negotiation
Last sold for $1.85m in 2000
In the late 1920s, architect Richard Gailey and Hutchinson Builders built this elegant family residence for a doctor by the name of Alexander Murphy.
In 1962, it became the permanent residence of the British Trade Commissioner.
The stately six-bedroom home, which has been renovated since 2000 when it last traded for $1.85 million, is for sale again by negotiation.
It has five bathrooms, a gourmet marble kitchen, a library with a fireplace, multiple formal and informal living areas and dining rooms, a championship-size floodlit tennis court, a self-cleaning pool and a pavilion — all on a 2810sq m block.
Ray White New Farm agent Matt Lancashire is marketing the home on behalf of the Tynan family, who raised their four sons in the property.
“It’s been a lovely family home,” owner Maureen Tynan said.
“Between studying, the boys would head out to play basketball, swim in the pool or have a hit of tennis. As they grew older, they loved the entertainment pavilion which stands apart from the main house.”
The property has a 45.4m frontage and dual street access to Killara Ave, overlooking Hamilton and Ascot.
Mr Lancashire described it as one of Brisbane’s “grandest family estates’’.
5. ‘Newnham’ 60 Riverview Tce, Hamilton
Price guide: Mid $3m
Last sold for $110,000 in 2001
Sitting proudly on prime Hamilton real estate, this property has housed a number of high-profile families in its past.
It was built in 1901 by department store owner William Overell.
In the late 1920s, the front verandas were closed in and arches and Taj Mahal inspired domes were added.
Marketing agent Alma Clark of Alma Clark Real Estate said she sold it to former rugby union player, John Eales, back in 1997, and a well-known barrister before that.
Mr Eales sold the property for just $110,000 in 2001, which was indicative of the market at the time.
The house has four bedrooms and a study, three bathrooms and a modern kitchen overlooking a pool and entertaining area.
Ms Clark said the current owners had made minor improvements to the home, including lifting the carpets to reveal original hoop pine floors “in excellent condition” and adding a pool.
Other features include timber detailing, high pressed metal ceilings, ceilings and leadlight windows.
Ms Clark said there had been strong interest from potential buyers.
“It’s amazing how many people come through the opens who are interested in the history of the home,” Ms Clark said.
“There’s not many (in Brisbane) that have been left untouched like this.”
The property is for sale via an expressions of interest campaign, with a price guide in the mid $3 million range.
6. ‘Foley House’ – 75 Woodstock Rd, Toowong
No price guide, going to auction
Last sold for $500,000 in 2000
On the market for only the third time since 1910, ‘Foley House’ is a grand, federation home once owned by Elizabeth Hockings and her husband, Albert.
A mover and shaker in political circles, Albert Hockings was a Queensland politician, an alderman of the Brisbane Town Council and served as mayor of Brisbane in the late 1860s.
The second person to own the home was Clare Bridget Foley — the daughter of an Ipswich lawyer and the fourth woman to be admitted as a Solicitor in the Supreme Court of Queensland.
In the 1990s, Mrs Foley opened her doors to the Sisters of Mercy while their convent ‘Goldicott House’ was undergoing renovation.
The six-bedroom, four-bathroom home has since been restored and redesigned, while keeping traditional features such as pressed metal ceilings, French doors, leadlight glass and ornate fretwork.
It is scheduled for auction on November 24.
7. ‘Koowa’ – 23 Davidson Tce, Teneriffe
No price guide, going to auction
Last sold for $1.2m in 2006
Built in 1896 as only the third house on Teneriffe Hill, this grand home has views of the Brisbane River, city skyline, Newstead and Fortitude Valley.
It was originally owned by the Davidson family and the namesake street used to be the property’s driveway.
The home has six bedrooms and five bathrooms, as well as a granny flat, viewing deck, pool and spa and an award-winning back garden.
Marketing agent Henry Hodge of McGrath Estate Agents said the owners had undertaken one of the best renovations he had seen.
“They haven’t spared any costs,” Mr Hodge said.
He said the home’s historic charm and modern conveniences would make it sought-after among buyers.
“I think for a buyer, if a home has stood the test of time, it shows the home’s very reliable,” Mr Hodge said.
8. ‘Locarno’ – 29 Hillside Cres, Hamilton
No price guide
Last sold for $950,000 in 2001
‘Locarno’ is an art deco masterpiece that was built early in the 20th century.
The upper level of the home was added in the 1930s.
The current owners bought the property in 2001 and undertook significant renovations and extensions under the guidance of acclaimed local architect, Robin Spencer.
It features four bedrooms, five-and-a-half bathrooms, a gym which can be used as a fifth bedroom and a kitchen on both floors.
Records show it last sold for $950,000 in 2001.
Originally published as Inside Brisbane’s grandest homes