THIS exceptional Federation Queen Anne period home in inner-city Brisbane with its decorative gables is rich with history and reflects an era of master craftsmanship with colonial originality.
Ray White CBD Residential agent Julian Gardner said the heritage property at 11 Franklin St, Highgate Hill had “a very interesting and important history” since it was built in the 1880s.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
Owner of almost 40 years Jim Bolger said he and his wife Christine had loved every moment of their time in the home with its decorative features inside and out, plus high ceilings and timber details.
“We are downsizing but we love the area so we are not moving too far away. We have seen the area change tremendously over the years, it’s so gentrified now but it’s always been so close to the city.”
Dr Bolger said the house had a very interesting history with many high profile owners or tenants.
Among them was E. Littleton Groom who in 1896 was a young barrister who rented the property.
He was admitted to the Victorian Bar and Queensland Bar in 1891 and twice become an acting District Court Judge. He was Vice President of the Brisbane School of Arts, a member of the Brisbane Technical College and was one of the founders of the movement for a free public library.
He was heavily involved in constitutional law in the pre-federation era. He was involved in the establishment of the University of Queensland in 1909 and would later serve as speaker of the house of representatives from 1926-1929.
“His grandson went on to become a Lord Mayor of Brisbane too. This house is not just well known in Brisbane but has a national focus as well,” said Dr Bolger, a medico who specialised in radiology.
Mrs Bolger, a retired lawyer, said that when her husband first purchased the house there was even a horse stable out the back.“Back then it was converted into lots of little rented rooms for tenants. Now it’s fully renovated with a billiard’s room and a self contained flat in the garden,” Mrs Bolger said.
Prominently positioned on an elevated 809 sqm of land, the property has a perfect north east aspect and sweeping city views in the heart of the Brisbane State High School catchment.
The home behind the white picket fence has an eye-catching mansard roof, Juliet balcony, cast-iron balustrades, and leadlight windows.
The property will go to public auction at 10am on November 16.
