Nyrambla estate’s unforgettable place in history

A wartime centre of intelligence gathering is on the market.

Nyrambla, at 21 Henry Street in the leafy Brisbane suburb of Ascot, is on the market for the first time in decades.

Nyrambla estate in the leafy Brisbane suburb of Ascot is on the market for the first time in decades, offering a rich wartime history along with sprawling grounds and a homestead.

Largely obscured from street view, the garage of the 1800s property was one of the most important and top secret information centres for the Allies during World War II.

For about three years, Nyrambla was requisitioned under the control of US General Douglas MacArthur and became the central bureau, which was tasked with decoding Japanese radio transmissions. Once understood, the messages would be retransmitted to Allied bases around the world.

After the war, the property was returned to the residential housing pool. It was last owned by Brisbane socialite Andree Daws until her death in August from dementia. Her father, Warwick Whatmore, owned the property in the Roaring Twenties.

Daws’s fifth husband, renowned artist Lawrence Daws, lives at the property and had a studio within the home for many years.

The estate was requisitioned for use by US General Douglas MacArthur’s signals intelligence unit during World War II.

The gated two level homestead has wrap­around verandas on both floors that overlook sprawling gardens. Through the years upgrades were made to the home, including the addition of a pool.

Rick Roberts, who cared for his mother in recent years at Nyrambla, says the house easily can be reconfigured to meet the needs of the next family.

“Mum held all the notable parties here in the 80s and 90s, she was quite a socialite, and even 100 people came to her wake recently, we had to limit the numbers,” says the 61-year-old builder, who has helped maintain the sprawling estate for many years.

Ray White Ascot principal Dwight Ferguson says the home presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the right buyers.

“It is one of those homes that is really quite unique and it hasn’t been sold often,” Ferguson says. “I feel it will probably go to someone with an affinity for the area, whether an expat or someone returning from interstate.

“Or it might even go to a local who may not be looking but recognises it might not come up again.”

The gated heritage-listed two level homestead has wrap­around verandas on both floors that overlook sprawling gardens.

Expressions of interest close on December 11.

A neighbouring historical house at Ascot also is expected to appeal to buyers looking for a character-filled home.

The century-old grand colonial property at 48 Charlton Street recently hit the market for the first time in almost 30 years. The fully updated home was built in the 1910s and sits on 1000sq m in the heart of the blue-chip northside suburb.

Renovations by the owners balance the traditional charm of the six-bedroom home with modern functionality. Intricate fretwork and conferencing remain alongside the lofty panelled ceilings, with the clean white tones of Hamptons styling carried throughout.

Bathrooms and the kitchen have been updated recently to reflect the time with premium modern appliances.

Renovations by the owners balance the traditional charm of the six-bedroom home with modern functionality.

Additions also have been made to the two-storey home through the years, designed by Trebilcock & Associates Architects and built by Darvill Builders, including an outdoor entertaining space and pool house.

Place Ascot director and marketing agent Patrick McKinnon says the home has been generating strong interest from local families looking to upgrade and from returning expats, particularly those from the US.

“People are definitely vibing with the history of the property,” McKinnon says. “It’s a home you will have for another 20 or 30 odd years.”

Around 20 groups visited the home last weekend, with several second inspections booked.

The listings follow the settlement of the grand Windermere estate at Ascot last week, which sold for $13.5m.

It sold in just three weeks in March, as the coronavirus pandemic was ramping up, setting a new suburb record by $2m.

Place Ascot director and marketing agent Patrick McKinnon says the home has been generating strong interest from local families looking to upgrade and from returning expats, particularly those from the US.