19 Gloucester St, Spring Hill
A once-derelict squatters’ den understood to be the first home built in Brisbane’s inner-city Spring Hill has hit the market after undergoing a stunning transformation.
The historic stone cottage at 19 Gloucester St made from rare Brisbane Tuff was lovingly restored by owner, Carol Marsh, who purchased the property for just $235,000 in 1996.
The three-bedroom, two-bathroom home on a 278 sqm lot is marketed by Ray White Collective’s Karla Lynch and Michael Reilly via an expressions of interest campaign closing December 19.
The cottage is part of a semi-detached pair
City views from the courtyard
Ms Lynch said the cottage, one half of a semi-detached pair both owned by Ms Marsh, was a rare sight in Brisbane, where most historic homes were Queenslanders.
Built in 1855 when the Grigor family emigrated from Scotland, the house was the sale for only the second time in its extended history.
Ms Marsh spent 18 months renovating the home, while retaining much of its heritage charm.
“When I bought it it was in derelict condition and squatters had been living there,” she said.
“There was a little cardboard sign hanging over the the front verandah that just said ‘for sale’ and had a landline number to call.
“The woman selling it, Jean, was a direct descendant of the Grigors, so it had been in her family ever since it was built.”
The kitchen was originally separate from the house
Damaged floorboards were replaced
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Ms Marsh said the home was built from the same stone as St John’s Cathedral.
“I’m passionate about stone buildings and this one is made from Brisbane Tuff. It’s a very pretty stone with hints of green, pink and purple,” she said.
“I also love the courtyard which has lovely city views,” Ms Marsh said.
A new staircase was added, damaged floorboards were replaced, and a conservatory with skylights was built to join the main house to the kitchen, which had originally been separate.
Ms Marsh paid $755,000 in 2004 to acquire the cottage next door, which was owned by the Lowe family who were business partners with the Grigors.
“Both of the houses have beautiful cedar finishes such as window frames,” Ms Marsh said.
“I think these houses are unique, I really can’t think of any other stone cottages like them in Brisbane.”
Exposed Brisbane Tuff stone at the home’s entrance
Ms Lynch said the property offered “an opportunity to own a piece of local history just moments from the CBD.”
“Every detail of this home speaks to craftsmanship: the sandstone-and-brick chimney, the attic’s timber rails, decorative gutter cresting, and the intact hipped roofs that frame both cottage and wing.
“As one half of a semi-detached pair, the property contributes richly to the established late-19th-century streetscape for which Spring Hill is renowned.”
PropTrack data shows the median house price in the suburb was $1,480,000, down 20.6 per cent over the past 12 months.
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