Developer says his only goal is to see Brisbane’s Lamb House restored

Lamb House is a significant historical home in Brisbane, and losing it would be akin to the destruction of other icons of yesteryear Cloudland and the Bellevue Hotel. I will be the first to contribute to any fundraising designed to save it, writes developer Kevin Seymour.

I TRULY believe Lamb “Home” and its location is a significant historical home in Brisbane. I have a passion, or even maybe an obsession, for saving it for future generations to enjoy and see how our forefathers lived.

Having known Joy Lamb for some 30 to 40 years, I’ve been aware of the residence, “Home” perched high on the cliffs of Kangaroo Point. I noticed the dilapidated state of the home some three or four years ago and wondered why it seemed to be neglected and falling into disrepair.

Lamb House, 1904.

Subsequently a real estate agent from Knight Frank inquired if I would be interested in her property if it became available for sale. I then entered into discussions with the owner, Joy, and after a period of investigation agreed to look at the sites in Leopard St and the deterioration of the magnificent old heritage home. I decided the home was worth saving for Brisbane’s future and believed it would be dreadful if it became another Cloudland or Bellevue Hotel.

When I advised Mrs Lamb in writing that the house was part of a declared “heritage precinct” and it would have to be restored, the relationship and respect we had built up became a bit fractured, as retaining the house was not necessarily what Joy wanted. I continued on and had plans done and costings completed to restore the house.

Lamb House, which has fallen into disrepair. Picture: Peter Wallis

Joy Lamb. Picture: Peter Wallis

I wrote to Mrs Lamb on several occasions and told her that restoration of the house was the only answer as both the State and Local Governments would not agree to anything less.

The first I heard of the erroneous claim that I had said I would get $60m for the site, which is four or five times higher than the land in Kangaroo Point has sold for, was in the media while I was in America recently.

Furthermore, the suggestion that I wanted to demolish the house and build units on the site is a total fabrication, as neither State Government nor the Brisbane City Council would allow any new development as the site is registered as a heritage precinct.

The house needs to be restored for the good of the community, and in fact if it was restored it would be for all the residents to enjoy for generations to come.

Prominent developer Kevin Seymour outside Lamb House at the end of Kangaroo Point cliffs. Picture: Jamie Hanson.

I hold a passion for saving what is one of the last remaining heritage assets for our city.

In my opinion, there is no better example of our history that warrants preserving. As I have said, I don’t want to see a repeat of Cloudland or the Bellevue Hotel on the site — that would be very soul destroying both for our citizens and our city. This is not only my view, but that of the wider community who look kindly on maintaining parts of Brisbane’s history.

I find it extremely gratifying that the Brisbane City Council and State Government have now joined forces to save this part of our city’s history after watching it fall into disrepair for over a decade. I’ll be the first to contribute to the joint Brisbane City Council/State Government fundraising if they proceed along those lines.

I have absolutely no problem with Brisbane City Council and State Government resuming the site and restoring the historic home for future generations to see and enjoy.

It will fulfil my ambition to see this fabulous heritage asset saved for the future generations of Brisbanites.

Kevin Seymour is the founder of Brisbane developer Seymour Group