Back to single home and with a New York touch

It took Ted McGroder more than just a lick of fresh paint to create the ultra-modern New York loft-inspired home.

13 Edmondstone Street, South Brisbane.

It took Ted McGroder more than just a lick of fresh paint to create the ultra-modern New York loft-inspired home that now takes up the entire block at 15 Glamorgan Street in the inner-Brisbane suburb of Paddington.

He bought the property for $850,000 in April last year when it was advertised as “the cheapest house in Paddington on 496sq m”. He looks set to make a significant premium on his investment when it goes up for auction today through Ray White New Farm agents Matt Lancashire and Josh Brown.

The property joins a slew of houses in Brisbane undergoing luxurious makeovers.

The classic Queenslander had been shown some care through the years but, with a modernised kitchen replete with pendant lighting and grey walls, it now has a contemporary edge.

In an eight-month renovation, the entire block was completely reimagined. To conquer the sloping block, the original house was raised to meet the highest level at the back, creating a two-storey home. From there, the structure was gutted to make way for a new floor plan and flooring.

Mr McGroder said his design mantra was simple: “I don't want anything Hamptons — make it bold!” Matt black is used on the kitchen cabinets, door handles, appliances, shower frames, window frames, fans, light switches and taps. It is in stark contrast to the white walls, the French oak flooring and custom concrete formed benchtop in the kitchen.

The main living space, made up of the kitchen, dining and lounge space, is Mr McGroder’s “Brisbane interpretation of a New York-style loft”, featuring exposed steel beams, 5m high ceilings and two walls made up of windows.

Also up for auction is 13 Edmondstone Street, South Brisbane, a home at the opposite end of the design spectrum.

The heritage-listed property was built in the 1880s, converted into a block of apartments called the Ventnor Flats in 1922, then consolidated into two duplexes in the 1980s.

The vendors bought the property in 2017 and combined the original elements with fresh additions.

A new coat of paint is the only change to the property’s facade, maintaining the original wrought iron panelling as per heritage restrictions. The verandas on each floor look out on the bustling Musgrave Park and city skyline.

The house is up for auction today through Mr Lancashire and Perry Edmondson-Clark, also of Ray White New Farm.