Award-winning Indooropilly masterpiece hits the market

A long-term resident of Highgate Hill, residing in a coveted position in Brisbane’s cosmopolitan heart, had a character Queenslander that was beautiful and well located.

Yet the owner longed for the outdoors. An avid runner and former champion swimmer, she yearned for a close connection to the bush. She never dreamed she’d find it as close as Indooroopilly.

“I spent three years looking online for the perfect property. Every day for three years,” she said.

“Then one day I clicked on the last property of the last page. I called the agent, went to see the house the next day and made an offer on the spot.”

What the owner had purchased was a 961 square metre block backing on to Mount Coot-tha forest reserve in a quiet, elevated cul-de-sac. Her new backyard was essentially a private gateway to Mount Coot-tha’s vast network of walking trails, waterfalls and parkland.

“I couldn’t believe how perfect it was. Incredibly beautiful, like an undiscovered paradise,” she said.

The existing house was old – “impossible to renovate”, she said – so after a few years renting it out to students from the nearby University of Queensland, Ms Barrett knocked it down to start again.

Award-winning Brisbane architect Stewart Smith was employed to bring the owner’s dream to life. At the heart of her brief was creating a house that would not only bring the outdoors in but work in perfect in harmony with the environment.

The result was extraordinary – an eco-friendly, award-winning home that has incorporated its treed surroundings so cleverly it seemingly has become a part of it.

“I cannot tell you how much I love this house. I can run through the most amazing bush trails straight from my backyard then come home and jump in my 25-metre lap pool and swim. It’s just wonderful.”

The owner loves her house so much that she plans to build a smaller version of it on South Stradbroke Island.

“My kids have all grown up and moved out so it’s too big for me now,” she said. “But I want to replicate it, build this again, just with less bedrooms.”

From the outside, the house is private and literally framed by stunning natives. In fact, every single tree and plant in this carefully curated garden is native.

“I won’t tell you how much it cost,” the owner laughed. “But I wanted the landscaping to stay true to the property’s surroundings.”

Inside, the house is overwhelmingly contemporary in its design, with sleek architectural lines and top-of-the-range luxury surfaces, fixtures and fittings throughout.

Yet it’s a house of incredible warmth and liveability. Polished hardwood timber and concrete floors, exposed brick feature walls, magnificent designer lead light windows and a private library area all lend the house a beautiful sense of individuality.

At the heart of the home though is its connection to the outdoors, which has been maximised throughout; from the high ceilings and louvred windows, to the indoor-outdoor ensuite, to the bi-fold doors that open out to the amazing surroundings.

Agent Judy Goodger said she was wowed by the luxury retreat feel of the property.

“We have such busy lives today but when you get to this house, you can just … exhale,” she said.

“It’s so quiet, private and almost therapeutic. The best part is it’s a functional, practical home that happens to feel like a resort.”

The house features five spacious bedrooms, three bathrooms and a fully self-contained living area with separate entrance on the lower level. With eight large water tanks and 25 solar panels, it has a top rating in environmental sustainability.

It’s within walking distance of public transport and a quick drive to excellent public and private schools as well as Indooroopilly and Toowong shopping centres.

55 Lytham Street, Indooroopilly

Buyers in advance of $2 million
Five bedrooms, three bathrooms, two car spaces
Inspection by appointment
Agent: Judy Goodger, Place New Farm 0438 767 377