290 Jesmond Rd Fig Tree Pocket
On the market for the first time in 70 years, a groundbreaking architect-designed Fig Tree Pocket home is testament to the fact great design is truly timeless.
Perched on a ridgeline, the riverside residence was originally built in the late 1940s, and boasts views to Mt Coot-Tha, the city, and Mount Gravatt.
290 Jesmond Rd Fig Tree Pocket
The home won a number of awards for its visionary design when first constructed before being purchased by architect Bill Conrad and his wife Janet, who was among Queensland’s first female landscape architects.
290 Jesmond Rd Fig Tree Pocket
Their son Michael Conrad explained his parents bought the property prior to their wedding in 1957 and lived there for almost their entire married lives.
“Dad grew up in Hamilton and Mum in Coorparoo,” he said.
“So, to move to the other side of town to a property that had been a pineapple plantation with a dirt road was quite bold.
“But for 63 years they lived here.
“It’s just one of those houses you never want to move from.”
290 Jesmond Rd Fig Tree Pocket
Set over two titles on a sprawling 3136sq m of private grounds, the home has undergone a series of renovations.
“When they bought it, it was a two-bedroom house with maid’s quarters underneath,” Mr Conrad said.
“After my eldest brother was born, they extended it to add another two bedrooms.
“Then, when we all moved out, they remodelled, and one bedroom became an extension to the dining area.”
290 Jesmond Rd Fig Tree Pocket
Designed to maximise those sweeping city and river views, the home now includes three bedrooms, formal and informal living areas, an open plan kitchen and lounge area, and a self-contained studio.
Featuring wood panelling, timber floors, signature stonework, and floor-to-ceiling glass, it boasts a post-modern vibe that was well ahead of its time.
“The Crow ash timber floors and the stonework in the entry way are absolutely beautiful,” Mr Conrad said.
“To do something like that was really a bit daring for such a conservative time.”
290 Jesmond Rd Fig Tree Pocket
But it’s not just the house with architectural credentials.
The tiered garden is a work of art itself.
“The garden was designed by Mum and it’s just as unique as the house and the site it’s located on,” Mr Conrad said.
“There are bushy areas, native zones, exotic bits, and it was designed so the garden would grow around the house but when you’re inside you can still enjoy the view and see everything.”
290 Jesmond Rd Fig Tree Pocket
Mr Conrad said the property and its riverside location made for an idyllic childhood as the suburb of Fig Tree Pocket evolved around them.
“Mum and Dad had three boys, and we grew up in that house, running around in the bushy backyard, fishing in the river, and catching crabs,” Mr Conrad said.
“We’d sail, water ski, and one time I even swam across the river to visit a friend.
“It was great fun.”
290 Jesmond Rd Fig Tree Pocket
The property also proved ideal for entertaining, with Mr Conrad recalling long lunches enjoyed on the outdoor terrace with up to 70 people in attendance.
“They’d go right through the afternoon and into the evening,” he said.
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290 Jesmond Rd Fig Tree Pocket
290 Jesmond Rd Fig Tree Pocket
Located at 290 Jesmond Rd, the property encompasses two titles, includes 36m of waterfrontage and is touted as the highest riverfront property in Brisbane’s western suburbs.
It offers buyers a series of options, including preserving the architect-designed home, rebuilding or renovating the residence, or potentially developing the site.
290 Jesmond Rd Fig Tree Pocket
The property is listed with Rachael Spinks of Spinks & Co Residential and is scheduled to go to auction on June 28.
290 Jesmond Rd Fig Tree Pocket
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