Rangemoor
Rangemoor is a 1907 Federation-Style Queenslander that has captivated me from the moment I first laid eyes on it. She’s been a favourite for a long time, another Queenslander that I have featured on my instagram account more than once and I’m astonished to realise that I’ve never posted her on my website. I’m going through all of my instagram favourites and am discovering that there are many Queenslanders that I have only featured on instagram (including this fairytale Birkdale Beauty that I’ve finally done a post on).
When I realised that I hadn’t posted Rangemoor on my website, I did another Google search and (to my delight) discovered that it had been listed for sale. This is great news because the last set of photos of this home date back to 2010. Now there are more photos of the home, from different angles and there has been a refresh of the interior. The house was withdrawn from sale, for reasons unknown.
A quick history
From Brisbane City Council heritage site:
This graceful timber residence was built for John W.H. Grout, merchant, soldier and Spanish Vice-Consul, and his wife, Winnifred, in 1907. It was designed by prominent Queensland architect, Robin S. Dods, and illustrates some of the key elements of Dods’ work, for example the dominant roof, generous verandahs and simple yet sophisticated timber detailing. ‘Rangemoor’ was subsequently occupied for many years by obstetrician and paediatrician, Dr Charles A Thelander and his family.
Rangemoor’ was constructed on an acre of land in Adelaide Street purchased in the name of Grout’s wife, Winifred, in September 1907. In November 1907, Grout commissioned the firm of Hall and Dods to design their new home. The building was put to tender and erected for £1,280. The large, timber home displays many of the signature characteristics found in Dods’ domestic designs such as the dominant roof form, side entrance porch, generous verandahs and restrained timber detailing, as well as some Spanish or Moorish features which perhaps reflected Grout’s consular role. The wave shaped timber verandah valance was featured in at least two other Brisbane houses designed by Dods – the 1902 Littledike residence in Drane Street (since demolished) and the Drake residence in Richmond Street, Morningside (also 1902).
Early plans of ‘Rangemoor’ show the house addressing Adelaide Street East with two large bay windows looking north across the verandah to the front garden. These bay windows have been removed and replaced with french doors. A lobby, living room and dining room occupied the front of the house and the western corner of the front verandah was enclosed as a study at some time prior to 1930. The kitchen, two bedrooms and a laundry opened onto the rear U-shaped verandah as did a passage way with access to the other two bedrooms. A brick fireplace at the front of the eastern wall of the house was once framed by curved timber arches and a pair of small windows on either side of the mantelpiece but these features have been removed. The brick fireplace has been replaced and now has a marble appearance.
In the late 1980s, an addition was constructed at the rear of the house on the eastern side. A further addition was approved by Council in 1992. While these additions have altered the house and some original detailing has been removed, much of Dods’ original design is still apparent and the house is an important part of the historical fabric of Adelaide Street East.
Description
From Brisbane City Council heritage site:
‘Rangemoor’ is a substantial timber house designed in the Federation style. It has a large, steeply pitched metal roof which extends at a shallower angle over the wide front verandah. The verandah is decorated with a curving timber valance and simple timber balustrading and extends around to the eastern side of the house. French doors open onto the verandah (replacing the original bay windows) and the understorey is enclosed with timber boards.
There is currently a pool (constructed 1989) between the house and the rear boundary and a tennis court occupies part of the front garden between the house and Adelaide Street East. A simple but elegant timber fence which echoes the verandah balustrading encloses the property on the Adelaide Street East and Enderley Avenue frontages. (This is not the original fence although it is similar to that shown in a photograph dated circa 1920s.) A decorative timber gate which provides entry to a driveway from Adelaide Street East appears to be original and in keeping with the style of Dods.
There are several mature trees including a poinsiana tree (near the Adelaide Street East gates) which provide an attractive setting for the house.
Exterior
The entry
The photo below is a photo from the new listing and, oh my gosh, it is spectacular.
This photo is a screen grab from the listing video. Another angle not captured in any of the listing photographs.
Verandah
This is the photo that I have posted on Instagram more than once. It is the photo that made me fall in love with Rangemoor. It looks like it should belong in a magazine and I should be sitting on that verandah sipping iced tea. 
Here is an updated photo from the new listing.
I’ve pulled them together with a slider so that you can see a before and after.
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Here’s the vision of the front door, from the original listing.
This is a screen grab from the listing video.
Eating spaces
The kitchen has been renovated since the original listing in 2010. Here’s a side by side with a slider.
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And here are the individual photos.
Living spaces
The living spaces have also been refreshed.
Here’s another old vs new, with a slider.
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Sleeping spaces
The bedrooms have also all been refreshed. Here is an updated photo.
Then next two photos are from the 2010 listing.
Bathrooms
Updated bathroom.
Bathroom from the 2010 listing.
The great outdoors
The new listing provided so many new angles of the outdoor areas of Rangemoor, including this courtyard which wasn’t in the 2010 listing.
The pool coping and tiling has been updated since 2010. It might actually be a brand new pool.
Floor plan
A floor plan! The 2010 listing did not have a floor plan and I’m so happy that there was one with the new listing. The problem is that it is almost impossible to decipher.
The details
Rangemoor is a 1907 Federation Style Queenslander located at 165 Adelaide Street East, Clayfield. It was last sold in 2010 for $5.8m with a current estimated value of between $9-$10m. It was listed for sale in 2022 and withdrawn from sale.
