Historic home’s new owner has grand vision for child care

THIS landmark property in Brisbane’s inner-west will undergo a multimillion-dollar redevelopment to turn it into a childcare centre after changing hands, in a move slammed by concerned locals.

JLL's Blake Goddard, who negotiated the sale of the historic Endrim House at 28-30 Woodstock Rd, Toowong, to a child care operator. Picture: AAP/John Gass

• Toowong suburb profile

IT will be a childcare centre where the kids just might want to stay rather than be picked up by their parents.

Joseph Stillman Badger, who built Toowong’s Endrim House.

Toowong’s historic Endrim House is set to be redeveloped into a 142-place childcare centre after changing hands in a $5.3 million deal.

And given the post-Federation elegance of the home, its future toddler “residents” could well develop a taste for the good life.

The landmark property at 28-30 Woodstock Rd has been acquired by a locally-based childcare centre owner-operator.

Its approval for redevelopment as a childcare centre was deemed “inappropriate” by some and its subsequent listing for sale was met with concern by the local community.

Endrim House has always been under private ownership and in more recent times was often a venue for parties and balls.

It was built in 1905 by Joseph Stillman Badger, an American who moved to Brisbane to electrify the city’s now long-gone tramway system.

One of Brisbane’s original trams filled with passengers and bound for Toowong.

Original tram tracks were used as beams in the construction of the house and are still in place.

Badger also had tracks laid to the front of his home and a tram shelter shed built on the property to house his own private tram car.

The residence has six bedrooms, three bathrooms, built-in wardrobes, two garage spaces and an inground pool in its spacious gardens as well as multiple fireplaces, an expansive wine cellar, 3.6m-high ceilings and a grand staircase.

It sits on one of the largest private residential landholdings in Toowong.

The elevated parcel of land spans three lots — a 3655sq m primary holding and two other blocks totalling 849sq m.

JLL’s Blake Goddard, who negotiated the sale with colleague Sam Byrne, said the vendor gained approval for a 142-place childcare centre, which will occupy the existing residence.

“It’s a beautiful building and the new owner will incorporate it into their new childcare facility,” he said.

JLL’s Blake Goddard at Toowong’s historic and elegant Endrim House. Picture: AAP/John Gass

Mr Goddard said the approval also encompassed the other two other lots and “playscaping” would be undertaken on the grounds surrounding the home.

It is believed the extensive redevelopment of the property will cost between $3 million and $4 million.

Mr Byrne said the sale reflected the ongoing demand the child care market was experiencing.

“Toowong provides the perfect demographics, and no doubt the new buyers will create something very special, setting themselves apart from competition in the area,” he said.