95 Anthony Street, Ascot, sold in eight days of hitting the market after a judge approvedits demolition last year
A Brisbane mansion that was at the centre of a high profile legal case last year has sold in just eight days – but the price remains a secret, for now.
Located at 95 Anthony St in Ascot, the 86-year-old residence known as Lorne was owned by Habitat Development Group founder and managing director Cleighton Clark, who took the Brisbane City Council to the Planning and Environment Court in December after the council refused his application to demolish the mansion.
It had been in the Clark family for more than 30 years.
Judge Nicole Kefford ruled in Mr Clark’s favour in December 2025, setting aside the council’s refusal and approving the demolition application subject to conditions.
The court accepted expert evidence from a heritage architect that major renovations in 1993 had substantially altered the street-facing elevation of the home, originally designed by Roy Ashley Shaw in 1936 in the “interwar stripped classical” style.
Council tried to block its demolition so it went to court
Judge Kefford found that “the alterations substantially change the appearance of the subject building in a way that is detrimental to its appearance as a building with traditional building character”.
As a result, Her Honour determined that the mansion did not represent traditional building character and had been substantially altered to the extent that it did not have the appearance of being constructed in 1946 or earlier, and that if demolished, it would “not result in the loss of traditional building character”.
It had plenty of charm, just not enough original character after earlier renovations
With the legal clouds cleared, it was then taken to market by Ray White Ascot selling principal Damon Warat.
“When a property has a complicated history, buyers need confidence, in the asset, in the process and in the agent,” Mr Warat said.
“We were able to give them that clarity, and the market responded immediately.”
The front of Lorne
Mr Warat would not disclose the sale price but confirmed it was a new street record.
It was bought by a local family, he said.
Publicly-available property records show that top price on Anthony St was $4.3 million, which was set for a 1999-built, five bedroom residence on a 606sq m block in December 2023.
Lorne was described as a “stately sanctuary hidden from view on a commanding 1578sq m”.
It features five bedrooms, two bathrooms, a formal lounge with a fireplace, a dining room, and a family zone adjoining the well-appointed kitchen.
MORE: Shock report warns workers will be locked out of cheapest suburbs
‘Buying blind’: TV star slams Aussie property tactic
Housing crisis solution? $100 homes with a catch
The formal lounge with a fireplace
There is also upper and lower balconies, a children’s study, an executive office, a pool and views stretching to the Gateway Bridge and Moreton Island.
“Importantly, the property has recently received demolition approval, presenting buyers with the rare flexibility to either restore this grand residence or create an entirely new luxury home on this exceptional landholding (STCA),” the listing says.
Mr Warat also sold 66 Toorak Rd in Hamilton, which had been in the same family for nearly three decades, for $8.2 million in the same week.
Mr Warat also sold 66 Toorak Road, Hamilton, for $8.2 million
English (US) · 