No longer the home of the humble beach shack, Queensland architecture has truly come of age.
Interior designer turned real estate agent, Heath Williams of Place Estate Agents sells some of Brisbane’s most luxurious properties and says he’s seeing more buyers prepared to travel and pay a premium for a meticulously designed home.
‘Larc’ at 7 Prospect Terrace, Hamilton, is for sale with Heath Williams of Place Estate Agents.
“We get a lot of people coming to our properties who want something special, something bespoke,” he said. “They see the value in the craftsmanship of what is made.”
Bates Smart director Mathieu le Sueur said Brisbane’s architecture was “in a league of its own” compared to other states — particularly when it came to apartments.
The home at 7 Prospect Terrace, Hamilton, was designed by architect, Joe Adsett.
“Brisbane is setting a new standard of sustainable and liveable apartment design in Australia, by prioritising lush landscaping, natural ventilation, increased sunlight, reduced water and energy consumption, shade, and comfort in their designs,” he said.
Mr Williams has picked five properties on the market right now that stand out for their architectural wow factor:
1. ‘Larc’, 7 Prospect Tce, Hamilton
Designed by Joe Adsett Architects, this trophy home was built by Graya in 2020 for Queensland business owners, Adam and Daniella Carmichael.
‘Larc’ at 7 Prospect Terrace, Hamilton, recently won a Master Builders Queensland award for its architectural prowess.
The home, in one of Brisbane’s most affluent suburbs, has six bedrooms, six bathrooms, a gym, an wine cellar, and a steam room with fibre optic twinkle lights.
It won a Master Builders Queensland award last year for its curved walls and custom joinery, which the judges said demonstrated a degree of difficuly involved in construction.
Mr Williams describes ‘Larc’ as “refined luxury”, being both architectural and luxurious.
The city views are incredible.
“We usually find it more weighted to one than the other, but this house has the perfect balance of both,” he said.
It’s on the market with Mr Williams, with top offers closing September 18.
2. 3726 Cape Tribulation Rd, Cape Tribulation
‘Alkira’ at 3726 Cape Tribulation Rd, Cape Tribulation. Image supplied.
From above, it looks like a UFO has landed in the Daintree Rainforest, but ‘Alkira’ is in fact just one of Queensland’s most unforgettable homes.
Designed by visionary architect Charles Wright, Alkira is a cantilevered masterpiece with a futuristic concrete facade, positioned over a man-made lake.
The striking Charles Wright-designed Alkira at Cape Tribulation, a space-age style six bedroom home that appears to be floating on water. Picture: Supplied
“The brutal elements of this home make for some pretty magnificent geometric shapes,” Mr Williams said.
“The fact that it sits like an alien ship in a world heritage site is pretty amazing.”
The property is for sale with Lynn Malone and Barbara Wolveridge of Queensland Sotheby’s International Realty for offers around $6m.
Inside ‘Alkira’ at Cape Tribulation.
3. 81 Panorama Dr, Doonan
The owners and designers of this incredible Noosa hinterland home had $25m hopes when it first listed late last year.
Perched high on a ridgeline overlooking panoramic district and coastal views, and surrounded by majestic eucalypts, ‘Whipbird’ is the work of Jayden and Jenny Zernich of Zerni Projects.
‘Whipbird’, 81 Panorama Dr, Doonan. Photo: Timothy Kaye.
Designed by Jen Negline and Andrew Brown from Minnow Studio, the home itself takes the form of a rustic, T-shaped pavillion, comprising 1100 sqm over two wings and two levels.
It is on the market with Rachel Sellman of Century 21.
‘Whipbird’, 81 Panorama Dr, Doonan. Photo: Timothy Kaye.
4. 100 Princess Street, Petrie Terrace
This is the sophisticated car lover’s dream home.
Designed by Owen Architecture, this property features dramatic vaulted ceilings, landscaped gardens by Steven Clegg, and a captivating double garage connected seamlessly to the kitchen so you can admire your toys while you cook dinner!
This property at 100 Princess St, Petrie Terrace, was designed by Owen Architecture. Photographer: Jacob Jon.
“It’s an absolute testimony to small lot living, with an incredible efficiency,” Mr Williams said.
“The finer detailing and the thoughtful nature of the architecture is beautiful.”
The property is scheduled for auction on August 31 and is being marketed by Andrew Cumming of Place Estate Agents.
This property at 100 Princess St, Petrie Terrace, was designed by Owen Architecture. Photographer: Jacob Jon.
5. 20 Cottonwood Court, Noosa Heads
Designed by architect turned Greens MP Elizabeth Watson-Brown, this home has a bold, eco-friendly design and backs directly onto Noosa Springs Golf Course.
The living room looks like its floating thanks to a bank of long, low-lying windows with a view out through to the garden.
This property at 20 Cottonwood Court, Noosa Heads, is for sale. Image supplied.
“One might call this home a tripping hazard as it is truly quite amazing how heads turn in every direction when people come through,” marketing agent Linda Suter of Suter Smith Cleine said.
“That is the beauty of a well-designed home, where every space — vertical or horizontal — draws your attention.
This property at 20 Cottonwood Court, Noosa Heads, was designed by Elizabeth Watson-Brown. Image supplied.
“You are looking up, down and all around at the magnificence of this home. Here, people look skyward to the double height glass panes, to the heavy steel beams, and to the fabricated metal facade that sparkles in the sunlight.”
This property at 20 Cottonwood Court, Noosa Heads, is for sale. Image supplied.
