Behind the scenes of 155-year-old Boulton Tce cottage reno

WHEN Tom Haydock was approached by the owners of 13 Boulton Tce two years ago to breathe new life into the 155-year-old cottage, he jumped at the chance.

Brooke Bryant, Aspect Architects and Tom Haydock, Lavish Constructions. Renovation of 13 Boulton Terrace in Toowoomba. Friday, 28th Aug, 2020.

WHEN Lavish Constructions' Tom Haydock was approached by the owners of 13 Boulton Tce two years ago to breathe new life into the 155-year-old cottage, he jumped at the chance.

Now, work is well under way on the second stage of the renovation, building a modern extension on the rear of the cottage - which is one of the earliest-surviving cottages in the Garden City.

Renovation of 13 Boulton Terrace in Toowoomba. Friday, 28th Aug, 2020.

Aspect Architects and Project Managers' Brooke Bryant said it was a modern, old-meets-new style of renovation, which will include a new kitchen, open plan living and dining area, bathroom, laundry and study nook.

"The clients fell in love with the character and charm of the home and wanted to breathe new life into it, whilst returning many elements to their original form within the cottage," Mrs Bryant said.

The extension replaced a structurally unsound early 1900s skillion lean-to.

"The proposed additions to the rear are quite modern with use of weatherboard and metal wall cladding externally, high pitched raked ceiling to the open plan living area, and plenty of glass," she said.

The original stuccoed brick cottage is an example of early Toowoomba housing, built by butcher and cattle dealer Martin Boulton.

He built several homes on the terrace which now bears his name, including Bendemere, Boulton Villa, and state heritage-listed Tawa.

Mr Haydock said working with such an old building was not without its challenges.

The main one was rectifying the existing bluestone footings, which were old and falling apart and impacting the structure of the building.

Renovation of 13 Boulton Terrace in Toowoomba. Friday, 28th Aug, 2020.

"I've worked on plenty of older buildings, but definitely nothing this old, and with this much heritage importance as well," he said.

"It's been an exciting one, full of challenges."

Renovation of 13 Boulton Terrace in Toowoomba. Friday, 28th Aug, 2020.

Mrs Bryant said it was incredible to see an old house be brought up to date, while Mr Haydock said his clients were to be applauded for "going through the emotional and financial commitment of taking on a project like this to preserve part of Toowoomba's history".