Historic house ‘everyone in Brisbane knows’ sells for $8m

ONE of Brisbane’s most iconic historic homes has sold for circa $8m and another has broken the sale price record in the same suburb, as the city’s prestige market goes from strength to strength.

Owners Galen and Lynda Gunn have made about $2m from the sale of ‘Cremorne’ on Hamilton Hill, given they paid $5.975m for it in late 2017.

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The heritage-listed mansion at 34 Mullens Street was formerly owned by Fonezone co-founder David McMahon and had been renovated and extended to create a glamorous residence that “everyone in Brisbane knows”.

Designed by Eaton & Bates, ‘Cremorne’ was built for Brisbane publican James O’Connor and is considered a timeless example of Queensland architecture.

Set on 2435sq m, the property spans two levels and includes five bedrooms, five bathrooms, multiple outdoor entertaining areas, and a pool.

The original home features Colonial-era architecture including a veranda complete with octagonal rotundas.

For three generations, it remained in the family until 1998, when former Bretts Wharf restaurant co-owner Genny Nielson bought it.

During her tenure, Nielson lovingly restored the home to its former glory and added a modern extension under the eye of local architect Brian Donovan, which retains the charm and character of the Queenslander but adds modern luxury essentials, including a media room and wine cellar.

The Gunns are co-founders of HAWCS International, an aviation company that uses technology to provide aerial survey services to the powerline and utility sectors across the country.

Ray White New Farm principal Matt Lancashire, who sold the property alongside Karla Lynch, confirmed the property was unconditional and was bought by a local buyer, but declined to comment on the price and asked to protect the privacy of the buyer and seller.

Mr Lancashire said the home attracted local, interstate and overseas interest, with four offers on the table and some 500 enquiries.

“I live in a heritage house myself, so I can appreciate the grandeur of the home and why it’s so appealing, from the 3.8m ceilings to the 2400 sqm of land,” Mr Lancashire said.

“Everyone in Brisbane knows that house.”

It comes as the dust settles on the sale of a mansion at 15 Perry Street in Hamilton for $13m — smashing the current sale price record in the suburb.

The previous record for Hamilton was set in March 2021 when a house at 55 Markwell Street fetched $12m.

“Brisbane is where it’s at,” Mr Lancashire said. “The top end of Brisbane has held up stronger than we would have ever anticipated.

“Buyers are looking for statement homes on big blocks of land, which becomes very limited. Hamilton and Ascot have been big benefactors of that.”

Mr Lancashire said his team had sold and settled $275m worth of property this financial year.

“Of the 6023 buyers we met during the past 12 months, 50 per cent were local while the remainder were based interstate or overseas, which is hardly surprising given data shows Queensland is experiencing the largest net crossborder increase of any state or territory,” he said.

“We received 184 offers and proudly sold 67 properties, 22 of those being over $5m, while another 49 changed hands for more than $3m. Brisbane’s prestige market is leading the nation.”