Luxe AirBnB plan for one of Brisbane’s oldest homes, Grangehill

People are lining up for the chance to buy one of Brisbane’s oldest homes, with plans ranging from a luxury AirBnB to a glamorous city retreat. SEE THE AMAZING PHOTOS

Grangehill, built in 1860 on Gregory Tce in Spring Hill, is up for auction.

One of Brisbane’s oldest surviving colonial homesteads is up for auction and potential buyers are lining up with ideas to turn it into everything from an AirBnB to a glamorous city retreat.

Grangehill was built about 1860 in inner-city Spring Hill for Alexander Raff, a prominent pastoralist, politician and businessman.

It is so old Queensland did not even exist until the year before Raff bought the land, on Gregory Tce.

At the time, the sunshine state formed the northern part of the colony of NSW.

Ray White agent Pat Goldsworthy, who is marketing the property with Christian Sandstrom from Knight Frank, said they had fielded offers from interstate as well as from locals.

Grangehill (at the front, left of image) has sweeping CBD views.

Chandeliers, ornate ceilings and more _ Grangehill has it all.

The grand formal dining room.

“A lot of buyers are looking at options to convert it to an AirBnb or boutique accommodation,’’ Mr Goldsworthy said.

“It’s also suitable for rural families with kids going to (nearby Brisbane Boys/Girls) Grammar or Terrace (St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace).

“It’s heritage listed, so there are limits on what you can do with it, but plenty of space, multiple living areas and wrap-around verandas with sweeping views.’’

Grangehill, which was listed on the state’s heritage register in 1995, has had a colourful history.

The homestead's walls are built from chiselled sandstone blocks.

One of the huge living areas.

The property was heritage listed in 1995.

Presently owned by Ipswich businessman Edwin Stoyle and his family, who lived there until recent years, it has served as a convalescent home for the Red Cross after WWI, housed American soldiers in WWII, was used as a boarding house and divided into two flats and for a long period was the headquarters of the Discalced Carmelite Fathers.

Mr Goldsworthy said no reserve had been set, but similar character homes in Brisbane had sold in the $3-4 million range.

One of the two fireplaces.

A carved wooden staircase inside Grangehill.

Grangehill, as it appears from street level.

The property is next to a proposed unit tower called ORIA.

But last week developer Keylin said it had been forced to scrap plans for the $140 million art deco, 15-level residential tower, despite strong pre-sales, because it could not secure a builder.

Grangehill includes five bedrooms, a library, formal living room and dining room with marble fireplace, a spacious kitchen and secure undercover parking for six cars via Gregory Tce.

It has heritage features including 3.6m ceilings downstairs and 3.4m ceilings upstairs, as well as two chimney stacks, two fireplaces, hoop pine floors, classic architraves, ceiling roses, chandeliers, bay windows, French doors and ornate cornices.

One of the five huge bedrooms.

Scottish emigrant, pastoralist and politician Alexander Raff.

Mr Sandstrom said the home would appeal to buyers looking for a character home “firmly cemented in Brisbane’s history’’.

“Grangehill is an iconic property,” he said.

“The home has been exquisitely maintained over the years and has further potential to be reinstated as one of Brisbane’s grandest homes.

“Notable drawcards are its inner city location and sweeping aspects to the north, west and south, being perched high atop Spring Hill.”

Grangehill will be auctioned at 5.30pm on Thursday, April 27, at The Calile Hotel in Fortitude Valley, if not sold earlier.