Historic Brisbane property Hove listed for 'regretful' sale

Charles Rich’s house at Hamilton was a prized family heirloom, passed down to by his mother.

His great grandmother was given the block of land at 36 Rossiter Parade where the Tudor-style home stood by her father, Edwin J. Shaw, Brisbane’s first town clerk.

“I had never envisaged having to do this,” Mr Rich said. Difficult family circumstances forced him to put the heritage listed property, Hove, up for sale.

Mr Rich’s great-grandmother, Cynthia Shaw, migrated from England in the late 1800s. When built not long after the turn of the century, the residence was made to replicate the style of her childhood home in Hove, a small town in East Sussex.

Mr Rich said the house featureed a distinctly Tudor style. “It is English style and if you have a look at it, it doesn’t have a large overhang,” he said.

First National Coorparoo agent Jason Stevens said it was rare to find a house with a unique style and ties to Brisbane’s history.

“I certainly haven’t seen homes any in that area are even close to similar,” Mr Stevens said.

The most interest in inspections had so far come from neighbour,s but Mr Stevens said he expected someone with a passion for history to snatch up with the property.

“I think who ever buys it will fall in love with the character of it,” he said. “I think you’re going to find the Brisbane City Council will put their foot down and say we need to keep it there as a heritage home.

Mr Rich counted on a history buff on taking up the mantle of caring for his old family home.

“I’ve always taken care of it and done anything that needed doing,” he said. “It’s got really nice woodwork, all the original fittings on the windows,” Mr Rich said.

Though he needs to part with the home, Mr Rich still owns a fob watch gifted to Edwin Shaw and said he was happy to have something to remember the home by.