Geodesic dome at 57 Bishop Street, The Range, sells to Rockhampton woman

The design of the property is centred on a geodesic dome and was built in the 1980s. The unique home has turned heads for decades and now it is ready for its next chapter.

SOLD: 57 Bishop Street, The Range, sold for $290,000 on October 1. Picture: Contributed

A young German boy’s curiosity about the stories of Ian Fleming, such as James Bond, led to the construction of one of Rockhampton's quirkiest homes, which has found a new owner.

With a geodesic dome design, the home at 57 Bishop Street in up-market suburb The Range where classic Queenslanders abound, has turned heads for decades and now it is ready for its next chapter.

The property sold to a Rockhampton woman for $290,000 on October 1 through McGrath Rockhampton and Capricorn Coast.

Sales agent Damion Ramsay said the property passed in at auction on August 21.

The property was built in the 1980s by Franz Leiminer. Picture: Contributed

“People did turn up but I think they were more curious,” Mr Ramsay said.

“A lot of people in the neighbourhood came to see. It was quite a curiosity for the neighbours.”

Post auction the property was listed for sale for $270,000-$300,000.

Mr Ramsay said there was a lot of interest in the property from neighbours and locals because it was so unique.

“People were interested once there was a price on the listing,” he said.

The design is centred on a geodesic dome with unusual angles, beautiful ceilings, and recessed windows in the upstairs bedrooms. Picture: Contributed

“We had 41 people inquire about the property.

“There was competitive interest from interstate and the property went into a multiple offer situation.”

He said the buyers was a young woman from the Rockhampton area and that it was her first home.

“They are very much looking forward to moving in and appreciate the quirkiness and uniqueness of the property,” he said.

“She said she wasn’t looking for anything conventional.

The property boasts three bedrooms, one bathroom, laundry, modern kitchen, and covered patio. Picture: Contributed

“I am quite excited for them because it was one of those buildings where you either loved it or you didn’t.”

Sales agent Damion Ramsay said the property was built in the 1980s by Franz Leiminer, who emigrated to Rockhampton from Germany a number of years prior.

“As a boy he was fascinated with the stories of Ian Fleming, such as James Bond and in particular Dr No,” Mr Ramsay said.

“Combining this with an interest in striking architecture, led to Mr Leiminer’s journey to build the geodesic dome on Bishop Street.”

The first geodesic dome was designed after World War I and has been used for various structures globally over the years.

The property sold to buyers from Rockhampton. Picture: Contributed

The design featured in the 1967 James Bond movie You Only Live Twice, where leaders of the world gathered in a geodesic dome structure.

The Bishop Street property spans two storeys and boasts three bedrooms, one bathroom, a laundry, modern kitchen, covered patio, and part-landscaped and fenced rear yard.

The design is centred on a geodesic dome with unusual angles, high panelled ceilings, and recessed windows in the upstairs bedrooms.

“The dome is extremely strong for its weight, its ‘omni triangulated’ surface provides an inherently stable structure, and because a sphere encloses the greatest volume for the least surface area it provides a large canvas to build in,” Mr Ramsay said.

“Internally the large void space in the main part of the building is striking, with its triangulated panels giving the design a dynamic sweeping panorama.”