Century-old house moved for towering development over heritage Lutwyche home

A retirement company has ‘temporarily withdrawn’ twin eight-storey towers in Brisbane’s inner north while also asking council for a six-month extension to restore the historic home it moved for the project.

A HISTORIC home built before the First World War was moved over 15 kilometres away to make way for an eight-storey retirement village which is now on ice.

Approval to build a new facility by RetireAustralia on Laura St, Lutwyche required the relocation and restoration of a pre-1911 home to a sporting field in Corinda within a period of three months.

Ed Slaughter said he and his father had opposed the eight-storey development. Picture: Annette Dew

The homestead began its 15-kilometre journey in early September, but last week an application was made to Brisbane City Council for another six months to complete the project.

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This follows a letter sent to nearby residents in October revealing the retirement facility would be shelved.

“We have taken the difficult but responsible decision to temporarily withdraw the project as a result of feedback received from the market,” RetireAustralia’s letter read.

A letter sent to nearby residents of the proposed Fancutt retirement village, announcing the project would not proceed for the timebeing. Picture: Supplied.

The new facility, built on the former tennis courts of the well-known Fancutt family, is next door to the Queensland Heritage Listed ‘Conon’ home, built by the McLennan family in 1863.

Ed Slaughter, who grew up in Conon, said he and his father had opposed the removal of the neighbouring home and construction of an eight-storey structure.

“(Relocating it) is basically the same as knocking it down,” Mr Slaughter said. “It loses its meaning.”

He said his biggest concern was with building eight-storey towers blocking sightlines to the heritage-listed Conon, where he lived for 25 years.

“It’s a complete joke in terms of heritage,” he said. “It’s completely unsuitable, considering there’s one of Queensland's earliest homes right next door.”

A render of the Fancutts retirement village. Picture: PD Online.

The pre-1911 home’s relocation was the last hurdle in the way of construction starting on a new aged-care facility by RetireAustralia.

“No development authorised under this permit can lawfully commence until such time the existing pre-1911 dwelling house has been lawfully relocated from its current location, transported to and reinstated on a suitable recipient site,” council’s 2017 approval for the retirement complex said.

RetireAustralia development general manager Robert McDonald said “a range of factors” had impacted on the relocation, including police and engineering approvals.

“RetireAustralia will continue to maintain the Fancutts site while we conduct this extensive project review,” Mr McDonald said.