Eskgrove, 1850s Brisbane heritage home, listed

Eskgrove, one of Brisbane’s oldest houses, has been listed for November 22 auction. The sandstone house was built for former Sydney bank manager Archibald Hutchinson, who purchased the land in 1853 for £88. When built it was one of only three river estates along the eastern Brisbane River neighborhood. When Hutchinson died at Eskgrove a year later his wife and children returned to Sydney and the house was rented out with its prominent tenants, including Brisbane Portmaster George Poynter Heath.

In 1880, Chief Engineer of Harbours and Rivers William David Nesbet purchased the house for £2,000. The 56 Laidlaw Parade, East Brisbane home remains intact with some damage from neglect over the years, with the only alterations being an extended veranda at the rear with laundry and bathrooms. It has exquisite sandstone walls, high ceilings with stencilled artwork and large purposeful rooms with grand fireplaces.

The original estate was five hectares, but after various subdivisions through the years, it is now set on 1,174 square metres.

The East Brisbane house has been known as Eskgrove Cottage, Scanland Estate and Grey Eagles at various times. Listed on the Queensland Heritage Register since 1992, the house was up for sale in early 2012, and recently relisted for November 22 auction. The house last traded for $1 million in 2010, having been listed with $1.2 million hopes. It had previously traded at $112,000 in 1985.

"With plenty of potential to develop further, this home needs only the right purchaser to transform it to a grand estate that makes the most of wide river and city views from multiple vantage points," listing agent Simon Caulfield of Place Estate Agents New Farm says.

"A current development approval to renovate the existing dwelling is in place," he says.

There are currently three bedrooms with proposed plans to make way for five bedrooms and three bathrooms.