Glenmore
“Glenmore”, is a federation-style (1890-1914) Queenslander on Laurel Avenue in the Brisbane suburb of Chelmer. This is a heritage listed home, the following details listed on the Brisbane City Council Heritage site:
This large timber house was constricted circa 1900 for School Inspector Oliver Radcliffe. When the farmlands of Chelmer and surrounding districts were subdivided into residential lots a proportion were taken up to build fine residences for Brisbane professionals. The close proximity of the rail line allowed commuting to the city. Radcliffe, who had enjoyed a long career in education, was the son of Amos Radcliffe, one of the Oxley’s earliest pioneers, and who had been the first to attempt to grow sugar cane in the district.
Recently I’ve been dismayed by the number of beautiful, historical homes in Brisbane (and surrounds) that are being picked up and moved somewhere else so that the land that they sat on can be subdivided and replaced with multiple units or duplexes. Like this one in Nundah and this one in Gordon Park. It is a sad indictment on the state of housing in this country and the belief that progress is always good.
So it made my heart so happy to read the following in the BCC site
Oliver Radcliffe held the large property at Mortlake Rd until 1908. It passed through a number of owners, the land on which the house stood being reduced in size to 2 roods and 32 perches in 1925 (allotments 23-26, 90-92). It was bought by Leonard Lindsay Byth in 1960. When Judge Byth sold the property to developers Mitchloe Pty Ltd in 1994, the house became the centre of much public debate, since its new owner wanted to remove it for infill housing. Local residents’ petitions in protest prompted, in part, the introduction by Brisbane City Council of Demolition and Removal Controls for character housing, and also the Local Area Planning schemes. Lot 76, directly behind the house, once held the property’s tennis court, but has subsequently been sold and built upon.
Thank you amazing local residents for your activism!
Let’s take a look at what they saved.
Exterior
Magic. That verandah is a statement alone. I love the use of dark paint on the skirting of the home. It really helps to elevate the height of the roof line, drawing the eye up.
The verandah
The verandah wraps around on three sides of the house.
Living spaces
I have no words.
Eating spaces
The kitchen is simple, leading out directly onto the verandah.
The kitchen also connects through to the laundry space.
Dining spaces
Entertaining with friends, the fireplace roaring.
Sleeping spaces
There are four bedrooms, two of which are ensuited. There is technically a fifth bedroom, however, based on the floor plan it would be better served as an office / study.
Bathrooms
The pool
The floor plan
The details
This home, “Glenmore” is not for sale. The address is 196 Laurel Avenue, Chelmer. It was last sold on 25 November 2020 for $3.85m by Meaghan Bakker of Ray White New Farm. To see the details of the listing, go here.