Builder couple transforms asbestos nightmare into stunning Wavell Heights showstopper

11 hours ago 3

James Briskie and Milli Mitchell outside their Wavell Heights home for sale. Photo: Steve Pohlner

Buying during the peak of the pandemic has paid off for builder couple James Briskie and Milli Mitchell, whose Wavell Heights renovation hit a sweet spot in Brisbane’s resilient middle market.

PropTrack quarterly home price data shows the suburb has surged 21 per cent over the past 12 months, pushing the median to $1.58m.

The northern Brisbane hotspot has remained buoyant despite a top-end correction in other areas, absorbing an overflow of buyers hunting in the undersupplied middle market.

But growth is also underpinned by a wave of high-spec renovations.

New Place Advisory data reveals Queensland’s renovation spend has hit a staggering $2b this financial year-to-date, with Greater Brisbane accounting for $1.03b.

The builder couple bought the site for their first big renovation during the pandemic. Photo: Steve Pohlner

Place CEO Damian Hackett said a “stay and upgrade” shift had created a “shadow housing market” that was acting as a buffer for future price growth.

“Renovation activity is effectively absorbing demand that would typically flow into the sales market,” Mr Hackett said.

“Suburbs experiencing elevated renovation activity today are likely to see stronger resale performance over the medium term, as improved housing stock lifts comparable sales benchmarks.”

While northern suburbs like Chermside ($41.4m) and Clayfield ($30m) dominated the top of the renovation spend list, Wavell Heights punched well above its weight for its size, recording a consistent $8.7m in high-end reinvestment.

Agent Drew Davies said the property was the best new renovation in the suburb

From an asbestos-ridden DIY nightmare to a dream home

27 Abbey St, Wavell Heights is listed via a best offers campaign

Mr Briskie, 32, paid $861,500 for the classic home on a 635 sqm parcel at 27 Abbey St after seeing it only briefly during 2021’s hot market, transforming it into a showstopper now listed via a best offers campaign with Place agent Drew Davies.

“The uglier the duckling, the more love I can put into it,” Mr Briskie said.

Instead of bulldozing, they raised the home and slid it 2.5m across the block.

They preserved the home’s unique 45-degree angled facade, which Mr Briskie admits was “wild and gnarly to work with”, and created a five-bedroom, three-bathroom home blending contemporary luxury with Queenslander heritage.

A showpiece kitchen has sweeping curved cabinetry, a 90mm beige marble island, and a concealed butler’s pantry.

The ground floor’s open-plan living and dining areas flow through glass sliding doors to an alfresco entertaining area, complete with built-in barbecue, pool and limestone crazy paving, while upstairs is a second living space along with four bedrooms including the lavish master and ensuite.

Limestone crazy paving around the pool completes the contemporary alfresco style. Photo: Steve Pohlner

But transforming an asbestos-ridden DIY nightmare into a luxury home was more than they had banked on, even for the Briskie Construction Group head.

“Unfortunately, previous owners had sheeted plasterboard right over the asbestos,” Mr Briskie said.

“I wouldn’t be in the position I am if I wasn’t able to do a lot of the work myself and rely on my contacts,” he said. “Even then, it was pretty incredible to see how much materials went up. I was definitely caught off guard.”

Juggling his own clients by day to pay the bills, he spent nights and weekends executing a flawless, builder-level finish.