Historic home’s link to former prime minister revealed

2 days ago 5

19 Dargie Street, Everton Park

A historic 1950s home built by developer Sir Leon Trout and his wife Lady Peggy with its very own ballroom and art gallery has hit the market in Brisbane.

Once a hub of high society, the Everton Park property housed a nationally significant art collection, and hosted Australia’s longest-serving prime minister, Sir Robert Menzies.

The double-storey home on a 3,965 sqm parcel at 19 Dargie Street is for sale via negotiation with Ray White One Group agent, Mary Di Marco.

Everton House was a lively social venue

Known as ‘Everton House’, the Trouts’ home was a “lively social venue” for arts enthusiasts and housed the couple’s extensive collection of art works, including by Australian impressionists, Frederick McCubbin and Arthur Streeton.

The house still features the portrait gallery, which became an extension to Everton House, and is reached via a wide circular staircase with balconies on both sides.

Sir Trout served as president of Queensland’s Liberal Party from 1953-1957, and welcomed then-prime minister Sir Menzies to stay when he visited Brisbane, Ms Di Marco said.

A fittingly grand entry to the home’s ballroom

The property hosted movers and shakers of the mid-late 20th century

“This home was the centre of social gatherings for art connoisseurs, politicians and movers and shakers of mid-late 20th century,” she said.

The property sits within the eponymous Trouts Estate of surrounding streets regarded as the dress circle of Everton Park.

“Sir Leon Trout’s vision was to differentiate this housing estate from nearby developments,” Ms Di Marco said.

“The estate had a covenant under which the owners had to build to a certain size footprint, only use brick and tile construction and power and cabling had to be underground.”

A new owner could restore its past glory

The family’s original landholding was subdivided to develop a community with streets named after renowned artists, including Nerli, Bunny, McCubbin, Streeton, Namatjira, and Heyson.

Everton House itself was extended, and today retains many original features including marble floor tiles.

The property comprises six bedrooms, five bathrooms and two kitchens, with a self-contained granny flat and pool as well as three garages.

New /personality 12/6/1959. Sir Leon Trout (1906-1978) was a Brisbane solicitor, businessman and benefactor. He beame well known as an art collector and patron, first indulging his passion when he bought an Impressionist print while still at school. He become founding president (1951-54) of the Queensland National Gallery Society, and donated the first of many works to the Queensland National Art Gallery in 1953. Neg/no S14490 box/no. Picture Ray Saunders. The Courier-Mail Photo Archive.

Sir Leon Trout (1906-1978) was a Brisbane solicitor, businessman and art collector, who developed a housing estate in Everton Park. Picture: Ray Saunders/The Courier-Mail Photo Archive.