Latest news with #HeathWilliams
News.com.au
28-07-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Bjelke-Petersen family's ‘Gilmore Girls' home sold for $4.5m after 134 years
The run-down home of New Farm's local 'Gilmore Girls', with connections for a former Queensland premier, has been sold for more than $4.5 million without a single cent spent on its renovation. The four-bedroom, one-bathroom home at 3 Mark St had been owned for 134 years by the Gilmour family, locally given a nickname after the popular television show. When resident Margaret Gilmour passed away at 101 years old last year, the 810 sqm property went to her sister Florence's family. Florence Gilmour had been married to controversial former premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen, with their descendants choosing to part ways with the home. The family decided to sell the house for the first time in its history, having been largely untouched since its construction more than a century ago. Place New Farm agent Heath Williams said the auction attracted a crowd of around 80 people, with 13 bidders registering to take a chance on the property. 'We actually had about 5 people already pre-registered, so it just got a whole lot busier,' he said. 'We didn't know how many people were going to register at the end of the day, but 13 was certainly a lot.' The bidding began at $3 million, already $200,000 more than the median house price of $2.8 million. After a 'fast-paced' series of bids, five active bidders were gradually whittled down to two after an offer of $4.3 million. 'The last two bidders basically fought it out,' Mr Williams said. 'The bidder who ended up winning was making bigger, bolder bids to knock the other out.' After close to 30 bids overall, the home finally sold for the huge sum of $4.575 million. The home will be going to an expat family returning from the UK, looking to renovate the home and make it their own. Mr Williams said the Bjelke-Petersen family was happy with the outcome of the auction. 'There is nothing from this home that doesn't need to be touched – it's a lot of work for a big renovation, so it's a pretty high price compared to another renovated home,' he said. 'They were really happy with the price, and it's gone to a buyer who's going to make it into a family home … [instead of being] split up and redeveloped.'
Courier-Mail
15-06-2025
- Business
- Courier-Mail
Blow up, glow up: The $12bn transformation of Qld suburbs
Once affordable Queensland suburbs are undergoing a $12.6 billion residential glow up, going from daggy to dreamy as older houses make way for modern marvels. Drab post-war homes and rundown Queenslanders are either being knocked down or extensively renovated, with architecturally-designed residences rising in new suburbs as the wealth belt continues to tighten across the state. The latest HIA Queensland Outlook for Autumn revealed that continued high demand for houses in the Sunshine State fuelled renovations to the tune of $12.6 billion last year. 'Council approvals for renovations in Queensland increased by 8.3 per cent in 2024, while lending for renovations increased by 13 per cent in the year to March 2025,' the report revealed. 'Total renovations investment in Queensland is expected to moderate at very high levels, driven by larger-scale work that require financing and approval. 'Queensland also has a disproportionately and relatively larger renovation market than its dwelling stock. 'The value of renovation investment in Queensland in 2024 was $12.6 billion, only $70 million lower than Victoria.' The report noted that Victoria has 700,000 more existing dwellings than Queensland, which only has 2.27 million homes. MORE: Unit owner told to turn music down and sing quietly Brisbane penthouse bought for $10m, sold for $17.5m in 4 years Areas where Aussies are striking gold Further, it was revealed that the average value of a owner-occupier renovation loan in Queensland was $208,950 in the March quarter, up from $171,160 at the same time last year. 'The value of approvals for alterations and additions in Queensland has reached new highs in the last few quarters, most recently sitting almost two-thirds above its decade average,' the report said. 'In chain volume terms, the value of renovation approvals in the 2024 calendar year has increased by 6.2 per cent to $2.9 billion. 'The number of loans issued for renovations has also increased in the 12 months to March 2025, up by 13.0 per cent to 11,220.' And those renovations are playing out right across the state. In Redcliffe, a seaside suburb once seen as the poor cousin of the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, a 'triumph' by internationally acclaimed architect Nicholas Elias has been listed for sale, with top offers closing on July 1. The striking home is a far cry from the post-war home that stood in its place. Place New Farm agent Heath Williams, who is marketing the showstopper, said many of the high-spec new builds were popping up in suburbs where the land value was less prohibitive. He said many were also in areas not subject to character overlays. 'The suburbs closer to the city have land values that are too high and then you have to deal with remedial works which can open up a can of worms,' Mr Williams said. 'You wouldn't expect to see the calibre of some of these new builds in certain suburbs but every time values go up, that pushes buyers further out.' Meanwhile, in family-friendly Wavell Heights, the median house price has more than doubled in a decade, with the average home now selling for $1.209 million, up from $536,000. And there is no shortage of new builds and reimagined homes coming to life. Queensland Sotheby's International Realty agent Tyson Clarke has a brand new Hampton's-style residence for sale at 10 Calga Street in Wavell Heights. It replaced a post war cottage on a 746sq m block. 'People who did renovations a decade, now things like The Block have made renos trendy fashion statements,' Mr Clarke said. 'Buyers today want to move in and do nothing. They want it done, even if it costs them more at sale.' Mr Clarke said that many of the suburbs undergoing residential rejuvenation were also suburbs that had been held for decades. And once one sells, others tended to follow suit. 'There is a kind of changing of the guard in some of these suburbs,' he said. 'In Calga Street, for example, there are four houses that have been knocked down and rebuilt and at least another two starting on the renovation phase. 'I don't know that it is so much about stock, but rather about timing. Their needs have changed.' Mr Clarke added that the so-called 'rings' had moved out, as prices increased closer to the city. 'What was once a fringe ring is now inner-city,' he said. 'If you look at Wavell Heights, prior to January 2023, no properties sold over $3 million. 'Now high $2 million to low $3 million is the norm and we are seeing movement out to places like Virginia. 'What is also interesting is that the people who bought early in the inner and middel rings have seen huge equity growth, and they are moving closer in and going up a price bracket.' In Tarragindi, a solid brick house was knocked down to make way for a luxurious new home. But it is not just the overcooked Brisbane market where old is making way for new. In East Toowoomba, a recently completed Marc & Co designed masterpiece has replaced a tired 1950s home, while a resort-style residence with a pool and gazebo has replaced a tackle shing shop and high-set house in Tewantin on the Sunshine Coast. Up north, a Railway Estate house in Townsville has been extensively renovated and is now listed for offers over $699,000, while a classic 1935 Queenslander in the Cairns suburb of Manoora has been restored to its former glory. But the number of detached house approvals fell by 7.4 per cent in the March quarter across the state, according to the latest building approvals data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The biggest falls were recorded in Central Queensland (-48.7 per cent), followed by Gold Coast (-23.9 per cent), Downs & Western (-22.6 per cent), Greater Brisbane (-12.2 per cent), and Far North Queensland (-7.5 per cent), while the Sunshine Coast experienced a minor drop at -1.4 per cent over the quarter. North Queensland was the standout performer posting a massive 32.3 per cent gain, while small gains were also recorded Wide Bay Burnett (+4.6 per cent) and Mackay/Whitsunday (+3.8 per cent). 'Relatively affordable land and housing and rapid population growth – from both overseas and interstate – has catapulted Queensland out of the trough caused by higher interest rates,' HIA North Queensland executive director Peter Fry said. 'North Queensland in particular has seen building approvals surge in the last year, including increases of 50.8 per cent in Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday (+102.1 per cent in Mackay alone), +49.1 per cent in Central Queensland (+83.8 per cent in Gladstone, +35.3 per cent in Rockhampton) and +29.1 per cent in Townsville – North Queensland. 'Cairns and Far North is the main North Queensland region that is yet to see this kind of improvement, with building approvals up by just 0.7 per cent in the last year. Infrastructure bottlenecks are standing in the way of the next major wave of home building in Cairns.
News.com.au
12-06-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
One-time open homes for Brisbane's luxury new builds
Anyone wanting to take a peek inside two of Brisbane's most luxurious new builds will have their one chance this Saturday. 'Palma by Graya' in Ascot and 'Mosman' in Bulimba have been listed for sale and each will have just a single, one-hour inspection on Saturday, June 14, after racking up thousands of views online. 'Palma' will be open from 11.15am on Saturday, while 'Mosman' will be open from 1pm. Both properties were designed by architect Tim Stewart with 'Mosman' developed by Michael and Natalie Ajaje of FBI Interiors constructed by McBryde Builders, while 'Palma' was a collaboration between Graya and Purdy Developments. On the market through Heath Williams of Place New Farm, 'Palma' is built into a sloping block and has 694 sqm of living spread across three levels with five bedrooms, a six-car garage, a wine cellar and city views. 'Mosman' is for sale through Sarah Hackett of Place New Farm and has five bedrooms, a wine cellar with custom roulette table, a yoga studio and an eight-car garage with Ferrari mural. Ms Hackett said unusually, the Bulimba home was being sold not only turnkey but also completely furnished. 'Someone is going to save years of their life and most likely money by buying this home,' she said. 'At this price point, the buyers are usually working mums and dads who are time poor. 'Not only has the hard work already been done (at 'Mosman'), but they have ticked every box and got it just right.' Ms Hackett said Saturday's open home was sure to draw interest from anyone wanting to see behind the striking facade of 'Mosman'. 'It's hard to not have a reaction when you go through this home,' she said. 'The ceiling heights are enormous, the staircase was craned in and finished in venetian plaster, the master bedroom is as big as an apartment we're selling in New Farm, and the roulette table in the wine cellar is Casino-grade.' 'Mosman' owner and developer, Michael Ajaje said he and his wife set out to create the ultimate family entertainer with a beach club vibe after several other successful builds. 'We took the best of what we've learnt and seen over the years and put everything into this home,' he said. The couple, who own FBI Interiors, built and decorated the property like it was their forever home. 'We wanted to show the locals, our customers and the people of Brisbane what can be achieved,' Mr Ajaje said 'This is the biggest and best we've done so far.' Mr Ajaje said his favourite part of the home was the open plan kitchen and living space with curved staircase and seven arch windows, while the master suite was also a showstopper. 'The master walk-in is like a high end Prada shop with beautiful glass cabinetry … and the concrete bathtub and curved wall in the ensuite is definitely the star of the bathroom,' he said. 'We used lots of venetian plaster and microcement to create a European style that feels very suited to Queensland.' 'Palma' marketing agent, Mr Williams said this weekend's open home was the first time for him at this price point. 'I sold 'Larc by Graya', which was strictly by appointment for pre-approved buyers as it was a private residence, and we had just four groups through,' he said. '('Palma') is one of those rare opportunities where a brand new build of this calibre has come to the market. 'So, we negotiated one open home and the rest by appointment only.' Mr Williams said an in-person inspection would allow people to appreciate the privacy, position and northerly aspect of the home, as well as the scale and balance of the interiors. 'There has been a lot of intention put into making the floorplan work,' he said. 'The joinery in the kitchen goes up 3m and that void, though it could have been a negative, it is balanced quiet perfectly, and the sculptural staircase isn't overpowering. 'This could be a big family home but also could be a downsizer home.' Craig Purdy of Purdy Developments said Ascot property was a nod to the Mallorca capital of Palma. 'The topography on the island leans toward luxury residences built into the side of the hills, which are also elevated to provide stunning views,' Mr Purdy said. Like the luxury home of Mallorca, 'Palma' was designed to make use of its elevated city position. 'It is always our preference to have basements at street level in order to have the living levels elevated to capture summer breezes and the sun in winter,' Mr Purdy said. Mr Purdy said visitors to the open home should take time to admire the curved staircase and the use of robust materials featured throughout the home. 'The staircase a piece of art in its own right,' he said. 'This is the first time we've done a curved staircase across three levels.' Mr Purdy said the team behind 'Palma' was proud to show the finished product not only to the community, but to the construction industry. 'Often the engineers, the town planners, the certifiers, they work on projects and never get to see them when they're finished, yet they're so intrinsic to building the building,' he said. Mr Purdy said the open home was also an opportunity for the public to find inspiration for their own homes. 'In our early days that's what my wife and I did,' he said. 'We went to see products we aspired to, and worked out how to put that into our residence. 'It might an element in the kitchen or in the butler's pantry or a design element in the ensuite – you can capture those and find a way to build that within your budget.' 'Palma' at 29 Towers St, Ascot, will be open for an hour from 11.15am on Saturday, June 14 'Mosman' at 29 Henderson St, Bulimba, will be open from 1pm on Saturday, June 14.
