Historic Brisbane city apartment for sale

One of Brisbane’s first apartments is on the market and promises the new owner a romantic glimpse of a bygone era.

Heritage-listed unit block Craigston, at 217 Wickham Terrace in Spring Hill, was built in 1927 in Spanish Mission style and is credited with being Brisbane’s first multi-use block as well as one of the first to use a reinforced concrete frame.

Unit 6b is currently for sale and was the original residence of Dr Sydney Fancourt McDonald, who brought the concept of a multi-function development comprising professional suites on the ground floor and residential apartments to the city.

Dr McDonald was a successful paediatrician and lived in the sixth-floor unit, which still bears his family nameplate on its front door, with his wife for a number of decades.

Today, Craigston sits majestically high on Wickham Terrace among the medical precinct which has been part and parcel of Spring Hill since the 1880s.

The building’s sense of history is evident as soon as you enter given its antique elevator, complete with wrought-iron gate, is still the mode of transport to the upper floors.

The two-bedroom, one-bathroom unit is about 130 square metres and features high ceilings with ornate cornices, sash windows, timber floors, silky oak dado panelling and a rooftop viewing tower that overlooks the old mill.

Sales agent, Rob Honeycombe of Bees Nees City Realty, said the property would suit a buyer keen to add their personal creative flair and one who appreciated the building’s history.

“There’s a real sense of arrival, like you’re a part of something special, when you get in that lift, you push the button and you close the door,” he said.

“You’re going on a journey. You can immerse yourself in its history. That’s what it’s all about.

“There’s a great opportunity to renovate, replace the kitchen and bathroom, open up those spaces and ensure it’s a desirable home well into the 21st Century.”

Its unique features also include a fireplace, maid’s quarters and a second entry, possibly used for deliveries in years gone by. The building is company-titled, similar to Torbreck in Highgate Hill.

Mr Honeycombe said interest in the property, which is listed for $760,000, has been strong.

“A lot of people are looking for any kind of home that’s got something unique about it… that’s either got views, history, unusual positions, or just that little bit out of the box,” he said.

“You can’t get much more different than this. You can’t recreate something that’s 89 years old and do it in a genuine way. This has got the integrity of that history that you can then build on.

“You’d have to say that places like this, there’s very few of them, and there won’t be any new ones.”