Cremorne House in Hamilton Brisbane
built in 1905, expanded since
news.com.au
Two elements best differentiated the Queenslanders from homes in the southern, cooler states: a] they had wide and long verandas, and large double doors which opened onto these verandas. And b] they were typically raised on vertical timber stumps. The use of timber stumps went into disfavour in the post–WW2 era because any new stumps or any replacements for old stumps must now be steel or concrete. Being built on stumps prevented the homes being inundated in flood prone areas, particularly in the older suburbs.
In pre-air conditioning days, Queenslander Homes made the most of passive climate control. Any breeze that arrived in the summer evenings blew underneath the raised houses and increased the ventilation. Internally the large doors and windows were lined up internally, once again to increase any natural ventilation, and windows were often louvered to allow for air circulation. The breezeway fretwork design, above the doorways, allowed for moving breezes
Roofs were generally made of corrugated iron or tin, and external walls were clad with timber. The verandas were as wide as possible, to protect against the overhead summer sun and to increase shade. Very often subtropical trees were planted close to the outer walls. The space under the house, raised high on stumps, created space for children to use on days when it was too rainy to go outside.
The biggest building boom was after soldiers returned from WW1. By the time they had returned to civilian life in 1919, then entered studies and marriage, many new houses were needed throughout the 1920s-early 1930s. Families with money built more extravagant Queenslanders, still with the wide verandas and under house playing space, but with gazebos, corner bays and exotic roof lines.
Queenslanders were not identical in shape. Asymmetry could be used and the gable could be placed to one side of the main roof. There were usually 2 verandas but they too could be asymmetrical; one was at the front, and the second ran down one side of the home.
In pre-air conditioning days, Queenslander Homes made the most of passive climate control. Any breeze that arrived in the summer evenings blew underneath the raised houses and increased the ventilation. Internally the large doors and windows were lined up internally, once again to increase any natural ventilation, and windows were often louvered to allow for air circulation. The breezeway fretwork design, above the doorways, allowed for moving breezes
Roofs were generally made of corrugated iron or tin, and external walls were clad with timber. The verandas were as wide as possible, to protect against the overhead summer sun and to increase shade. Very often subtropical trees were planted close to the outer walls. The space under the house, raised high on stumps, created space for children to use on days when it was too rainy to go outside.
The biggest building boom was after soldiers returned from WW1. By the time they had returned to civilian life in 1919, then entered studies and marriage, many new houses were needed throughout the 1920s-early 1930s. Families with money built more extravagant Queenslanders, still with the wide verandas and under house playing space, but with gazebos, corner bays and exotic roof lines.
Queenslanders were not identical in shape. Asymmetry could be used and the gable could be placed to one side of the main roof. There were usually 2 verandas but they too could be asymmetrical; one was at the front, and the second ran down one side of the home.
Overlooking the beautiful Brisbane River
Real Estate Conversation
Now let me look at a luxury Queenslander I'd never seen before, in the very affluent Brisbane suburb of Hamilton and in one of the city’s most expensive streets. Cremorne is a heritage-listed mansion that was designed by Eaton & Bates, and built in 1905-6 for Brisbane publican James O’Connor. The original home featured Colonial-era architecture, including a veranda complete with octagonal rotundas, beautifully overlooking the Brisbane River with amazing 180-degree views from up on Hamilton Hill.
Brisbane's architectural history was might have been destroyed in the 1960s-80s with the demolition of important cultural buildings and the removal of c1000 Queenslander homes per year. I clearly remember the Nov 1982 crisis when the destroyers moved in to wipe out Brisbane’s iconic Cloudland. I wondered back then if there was any heritage overlay for surviving Queenslanders but fortunately Cremorne was added to the Register in Oct 1992.
Brisbane's architectural history was might have been destroyed in the 1960s-80s with the demolition of important cultural buildings and the removal of c1000 Queenslander homes per year. I clearly remember the Nov 1982 crisis when the destroyers moved in to wipe out Brisbane’s iconic Cloudland. I wondered back then if there was any heritage overlay for surviving Queenslanders but fortunately Cremorne was added to the Register in Oct 1992.
Luckily Cremorne survived and for three generations it remained in the family. In 1998 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 with architect Brian Donovan, retaining the charm and character of the Queenslander but adding modern luxury essentials eg a wine cellar.
Then it was bought for $6.6 mill by Fonezone co-founder David McMahon in 2015 and was renovated and extended to re-create a glamorous residence. Set on 2400 sq m, the property spans two levels, has many large livingrooms, 3.8m high ceilings, intricate cornices and ceiling roses, stained-glass windows, original fireplaces and chandeliers.
Then Galen and Lynda Gunn paid $6 mill for the property in 2017. Galen came from a Qld grazing dynasty; grandfather Sir William Gunn was a renowned wool and cattle identity. Later the Gunns co-founded an aviation company that uses technology to provide aerial survey services to the powerline and utility sectors across the country. The grand colonial residence has a very recent contemporary architectural extension and ...did I say the views from the sweeping verandas are incredible?
This historic house sold for $8m in June 2023.
Then it was bought for $6.6 mill by Fonezone co-founder David McMahon in 2015 and was renovated and extended to re-create a glamorous residence. Set on 2400 sq m, the property spans two levels, has many large livingrooms, 3.8m high ceilings, intricate cornices and ceiling roses, stained-glass windows, original fireplaces and chandeliers.
A loungeroom with original ceiling decoration, stained glass windows and fireplace.
Real Estate Conversation
Then Galen and Lynda Gunn paid $6 mill for the property in 2017. Galen came from a Qld grazing dynasty; grandfather Sir William Gunn was a renowned wool and cattle identity. Later the Gunns co-founded an aviation company that uses technology to provide aerial survey services to the powerline and utility sectors across the country. The grand colonial residence has a very recent contemporary architectural extension and ...did I say the views from the sweeping verandas are incredible?
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16 comments:
roentare said...
I observed a lot of houses built in that style when I locumed in Northern NSW and Queensland.
It looks as though the external architecture of Cremorne has Indian influences.
I grew up in a Queenslander although not as grand as this one . I did my exams at Cloudland and went to undergraduate balls there . It was a wonderful space . I couldn't believe it when it was pulled down . Queensland seemed to breed a certain sort of philistines who was into progress . They were usually fat white blokes and full of the certainty of being right . There were several who who genuflected to good ol Joe . That atmosphere was one of the reasons I fled to Victoria which seemed to me way ahead in its attitude on so many things .
Now though Queenslanders on the whole have come to their senses and appreciate the history and architecture that they have . So many old houses are now being sold a historic opportunities . Its good to see.
Our house was " modernized " by my parents who took out the French doors and lowered the ceilings but the VJ boards stayed as did the the layout of the rooms and the ventilation fretwork. I have many happy memories of sitting on the wide verandah as the rain thundered down in the afternoons .
roentare
I hadn't ever thought of Queenslanders in NSW or any other state, but you are quite right! I looked at real estate advertisements for north NSW and found Queenslanders exactly like the ones I saw in Queensland. Look what you learn from blog comments :)
Joe
The original bungalow derived from British Army buildings in India and later introduced by army officers, civil servants and traders who returned to the UK. Only then did they realise that India had a similar climate to Queensland, so India's tropical architecture (high under-house stumps, sloped roof etc) was also suitable for Australia's tropical regions. But why did it take until 1900 to become popular in Qld?
mem
when Bjelke-Petersen became Premier of Queensland in 1968, everyone expected horrible things to happen, but pulling down heritage architecture was appalling, even by his standards. I agree that Queensland citizens are far more aware of their precious treasures today, and since climate change isn't going to make the state become cooler or drier, Queenslander homes will be even more in demand!
I wouldn't leave Melbourne during summer, but I would happily spend June-August inclusive in S.E Queensland.
Hello Hels, I just looked at your earlier article, and perhaps I like the simpler Queenslander houses better. In those houses, and especially in the Cremorne house you are featuring today there seems to be some link with the late Victorian version of American Queen Ann and Colonial Revivals, especially the way the porches are arranged around the end bays. Probably this was part of a world-wide trend. I wish that people who buy historic houses were required to take an architecture appreciation course. That way there would not be so much "updated for modern convenience" at the expense of the original appearance and fabric. That interior view looks like an ad for a modern furniture company green-screened onto a historic backdrop.
--Jim
p.s. My spell checker is not very loyal. It kept trying to change "Queenslander" into "Queen slander".
A very graceful building, well designed for the climate - such a pity when 'people of vision' are given their heads and pull down historic buildings..
This is a gorgeous old home, and I'm not familiar with this style at all. That made this post very interesting to read, and I learned a lot too. I don't live in a warm place so our homes are built more the winter cold than the summer heat.
Parnassus
I am not sure what changes can be made to a house with heritage protection. In my state, all it says is that changes can be made to the property to improve, update or renovate it, as long as approval is received from Heritage Victoria first. In Cremorne the expansions in the front architecture seem to be made from the same building material (timber), same design and same external facilities as originally used. The inside rooms clearly do not.
jabblog
using architecture to protect families from local climate issues is both protective healthwise and cheaper financially. So I also don't understand why locals pull down Queenslanders and build fully sealed, double-brick blocks of flats cooled down 24 hours a day by air conditioners.
Erika
Of course. Every region must design architecture to suit their temperature, humidity, vegetation, rainfall, land stability etc. Families of course will make their own choices, but they need to be sensible choices.
The house looks like the one owned by Gina R....I'd better read on.
Not Gina's. It doesn't really like a typical Queenslander and I am reminded of the Indian Tea Rooms at Perth's Cottesloe Beach. I normally like great balance with architecture but perhaps this one is just too balanced. Not sure I really like it, but I could stay there for a week and test it out.
Andrew
well done for spotting the connection with the Indiana Tea House in Cottesloe Beach. I lived in Perth for a few years, but the original structure wasn't restored until c15 years ago.
Cremorne in Qld looks softer because it was made from timber with simple balustrading, whereas Indiana Tea House was made from concrete with sharp rooflines.
Before you invest your $8 million, check out the house first *nod*. Bugger... it was sold already :(
good work World Equestrian Center
Palm Beach Tutoring,
Helen asks if you tutor in architecture? And tropical architecture in particular?
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