Brisbane’s very own ‘Up’ house has sold for $1.4 million under the hammer

WEDGED between shops and a block of flats, this tiny house stood firm for more than 100 years as the city grew around it.

REAL ESTATE: 42 Mollison St West End

SOLD! For the first time in more than a century.

Nicknamed Brisbane’s “Up” house after the Pixar animated film of the same name, the humble Queensland cottage that has been dwarfed by decades of development just changed hands for the first time.

But locals shouldn’t fear their landmark will be bulldozed anytime soon according to selling agent Chris Kazonis of Drakos Real Estate.

“It was bought by an out of town investor and I think they’re going to put some family in it,” he said.

The South Brisbane home has been dwarfed by development on both sides. Picture: Peter Wallis

“I think it’ll be staying there for a while yet,” Mr Kazonis said.

Yesterday’s auction attracted a crowd of onlookers and camera crews, but what was important for the 82-year-old owner, Janet Richards was the number of serious bidders.

“She was getting pretty nervous before the big day but we had a really pleasing result. There were 12 registered bidders. I was expecting maybe six, but we had 12,” Mr Kazonis said.

The auction drew a crowd which included 12 registered bidders. Picture: Peter Wallis

The three-bedroom home on Mollison St which is sandwiched between a shopping complex, which houses a Coles supermarket and 25 speciality shops on one side and unit blocks on the other, sold under the hammer for $1.4 million.

More Up houses: The real estate deals where money could not buy happiness

“She was ecstatic, I’m really pleased for her. She’s just a lovely lady,” he said.

Mrs Richards, who will move the northern suburbs of Brisbane to be closer to family, told the Courier Mail that she was glad the auction is over.

“I will have Yellow, the bubbly, and I’ll have one glass but I’m not a drinker” she said.

Mollison St has been Mrs Richard’s home for six decades since the day she married her late husband Norman. Mr Richards, who would have turned 100 this year, was born in the cladded cottage.

Janet Richards’ husband had lived at the home his whole life and refused to sell up. Picture: Peter Wallis

Fifteen years ago Norman and Janet Richards refused to give up their three-bedroom home when developers came knocking — even when they got out their fat cheque books.

According to RP Data Core Logic figures, the median sale price for a house in South Brisbane is $1 million.