From 1930s boarding house to an art deco delight: Brisbane's historic Musgrave Court hits the market

• Owners: Brothers Shaun and Shane Costa
• Address: 185 Vulture Street, South Brisbane, Queensland
• Type of property: A three-storey art deco rooming house rescued from ruin and transformed into eight glamorous apartments

If the fabled Jay Gatsby emerged from the pages of fiction and came to life, fully formed and fabulous, you wouldn’t be surprised to find him living here, at the spectacular Betty Joan Apartments in South Brisbane.

Sure, it’s a long way from the largesse of those Long Island parties, but the full-throttle glamour on show in the brilliant reimagining here would ensure the Great Gatsby himself felt right at home.

On a West End wander over 13 years ago two brothers – Shaun and Shane Costa, each with different, but complementary, skills and a set of specific personal circumstances – spotted a ragged 1930s boarding house and a shrewd plan sparked into life.

“At the time Shane needed somewhere to live with his young family and I knew, as soon as I saw it, that it had so much potential,” says interior designer Shaun.

“I said to him, ‘We could do this. We could make this gorgeous.'”

It took more than 10 years of hard graft, but make it gorgeous they did.

It was an African childhood that engendered the brother’s design and construction skills, learnt at the knee of their grandparents – builder Bob and style maven Betty Joan, after whom the apartments are affectionately named.

“Shane was always helping Grandad,” Shaun says. “He was always very hands-on and Betty Joan taught me the value of quality, of buying good things that will last.”

That magical shared childhood forged a deep bond. The brothers have collaborated on other projects previously, but this one is deeply personal.

Each has occupied an apartment here, and from the very beginning, the common aim was to infuse the place with Betty Joan’s convivial spirit.

“It’s a very special building,” Shaun says.

It wasn’t always so. When they took possession, the boarding house had fallen into spectacular disrepair.

“Nothing had really ever been done, with the exception of a 1970s-style awful bathroom upgrade,” Shaun says. “We started from the bones – restumping, electrics – and we replaced everything.”

Crossing the threshold here now is like stepping inside some kind of glittering jewel box, where every corner shimmers with bespoke art deco style.

Every one of the eight apartments has its own atmosphere, from the golden glow of Shane’s place to the emerald-city shine of Shaun’s.

In between, you’ll find exquisitely rendered details under the original decorative moulded ceilings, beautifully restored and providing a guide from which all other design flows.

Some apartments have august marble fireplaces, others magnificent fanlights over door frames. Parquetry floors glow, and the tiling in both kitchens and bathrooms is exquisite and provides a link throughout the building.

The deco-era accents, particularly the light fittings and pieces like bevelled mirrors and glasswork, have been meticulously sourced.

Inspiration for this tour-de-force of flair and flamboyance came, in part, from Academy Award-winning costume and set designer Catherine Martin.

Her wallpaper and luxe textile ranges held a particular attraction for the brothers. Big and bold, with an undertone of sinuous vigour, they were a vibrant, daring catalyst to this interior designer’s expansive imagination.

“I just love what Catherine does,” Shaun says. “She’s my absolute favourite.”

The movie version of The Great Gatsby by Martin’s husband, director Baz Luhrmann, did, in fact, hold a little bit of sway too.

“I think I paused it so many times and tried to zoom in and see certain patterns,” Shaun says.

While the spectacle here is undeniably compelling, it’s as much about the attention to detail as it is the bold styling.

Shane’s beautiful joinery is a case in point, an elegant articulation of the old-world atmosphere here settling gently with contemporary utility.

“Shane is a craftsman,” Shaun says admiringly. “He makes my sometimes impractical ideas happen.”

As they move on to new chapters the brothers are happy in the knowledge that they contributed something beautiful and lasting to the streetscape.

“I love seeing people walk past, then stop and smile and take a photo on their phone,” Shaun says. “A project like this comes from deep inside, it comes from the heart.”

Bob and Betty Joan would be proud.

Auction

185 Vulture Street, South Brisbane QLD 4101

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