Renowned New Farm Queenslander goes to auction this weekend

When the Mulcahy family were transferred to Brisbane from Sydney for work, they arrived expecting their stint to be a short one.

After a period of renting, they had fallen not just for Brisbane and its lifestyle – but its Queenslander character homes as well.

“We always thought if we actually lived in Queensland, we wanted a Queenslander of our own,” said Ana Mulcahy.

“We wanted that lifestyle; spending evenings out on the verandah, enjoying the outdoors, having a backyard.”

When the stint became a permanent move, Ana and her husband John decided to take the plunge and buy their own property; what they ended up with was far from your average stop-gap home.

Positioned on the iconic Lower Bowen Terrace at New Farm, the Mulcahys new purchase was a Queenslander of stunning proportions. Renowned in the area for its gorgeous gabled facade and sprawling 1012 square metre block, the home had charm in spades, with show-stopping original features such as the grand living area, ornate ceilings and leadlight windows.

However it needed work, so the Mulcahys set to making more space, raising the house up to increase its size to an impressive 598 square metres. While they carefully restored the original features, they subtly integrated contemporary fittings and fixtures, including a luxury kitchen, stunning bathrooms and a large deck with city views overlooking the pool and large backyard.

“We wanted something timeless – our aim was to keep the soul of the home while still achieving that contemporary feel,” Ms Mulcahy said.

“Our dreams were realised. Our children were young at the time and we really gave them that idyllic Queensland childhood – swims after school every afternoon, sitting out on the verandah eating mangoes – it was wonderful.”

It’s not hard to see why. The house is palatial in the sense that it is spacious — with five bedrooms, four bathrooms, an elegant home office and multiple living spaces inside and out — but it is also cleverly laid out to make the most of its location, which is only one street back from New Farm Park and the local village, cafes and restaurants.

The Mulcahy family eventually transferred back to Sydney but were reluctant to let go of their Brisbane family home straight away. They rented it out to a family friend for a couple of years but now, as they ready themselves to sell, Ms Mulcahy still feels feels a sense of sadness.

“We put a lot of ourselves into that house and have some wonderful memories there,” she said.

“What we hope is that whoever buys it will be able to do the same and love the house as we have.”

Agent Mike Martin said interest had been strong. “There are a lot of people who have been waiting a long time for a property like this,” he said. “Homes of this calibre are often admired but rarely put to the market.”

579 Lower Bowen Terrace, New Farm

Auction onsite Saturday March 4, 11am – if not sold prior

5 bed, 4 bath, 4 car

Open for inspection Saturday March 4, 10.30am – 11am

Agents: Matt Lancashire and Mike Martin, Ray White New Farm 0416 476 480/0478 011 216