THE Hamilton Hill home of a Brisbane inventor who helped put NASA into space has hit the market for the first time in more than 50 years.
Norman Flournoy, 88, has 27 worldwide patents to his name, including technical inventions used in ballistics and rocketry in the United States.
His wife, Marea Reed, worked from home as an optometrist for three decades and still has the original chair she used, which was made in 1876 from solid brass and bronze.
The 79-year-old hasn’t ruled out selling the chair with the house, but stressed it would have to be a good offer.
Mrs Reed moved into the home at 29 Queens Road in 1965 with her first husband, who was an architect.
“It was a wreck when we first came here,” she recalls.
“He did some beautiful, sensitive alterations to the house.
“It’s a wonderful mix of the traditional colonial and the new avant-garde.”
Perched high on Hamilton Hill on 890 sqm, the six-bedroom, two-bathroom colonial home is the perfect renovation project, offering spectacular river and city views.
“It’s got an absolutely fantastic view and position,” Mrs Reed said.
“What I love about it is the great expanse of sky.
“It’s a very happy home.”
Traditional features include a wraparound entry veranda, original timber flooring, wide hallway and VJ walls.
There is a large back deck, which extends off the living and dining area that would be perfect for alfresco dinners or parties.
It overlooks the backyard, which allows plenty of room for a pool or home extension.
Underneath the home is a spacious studio with bedroom/lounge area and kitchenette — ideal for a guest wing or teenage retreat.
Marketing agent Nick Kouparitsas of Ray White Ascot said it was rare for such properties to be offered to the open market.
“We don’t come across too many of these homes that have been in the same family for so many years,” he said.
“Around Hamilton they’re pretty rare.”
Mr Kouparitsas said he had fielded interest from local and interstate, mostly from owner-occupiers looking for something to renovate on a large block in a great location.
“You’ve probably got some of the best views in Brisbane there of the river and the city,” he said.
The property is scheduled for auction on-site at 4pm on May 26.
Source: www.news.com.au