Owner reveals incredible story behind turning decrepit shack into luxury Brisbane home

41 Grove Cres Toowong has been transformed

---

Behind its picture-perfect façade, it’s hard to believe an epic eight-bedroom home was once the worst house in one of Toowong’s best streets.

But according to owner Rebecca Kenny that’s exactly the opportunity 41 Grove Cres offered when she bought it in 2007.

Back then it was a purchase that came complete with a derelict home and a whole host of construction headaches.

The facade had to be restored

---

But from that rubble, Ms Kenny has built an architect-designed family home that’s been a haven for her family of four children for the past 15 years.

Ms Kenny explained she was already living on the quiet cul-de-sac and had purchased two subdivided backyards when the adjoining property at number 41 became available.

“The house was owned by the loveliest lady called Peggy,” Ms Kenny said.

“She had lived there about 60 years and was full of stories.”

Ms Kenny secured the home at auction, spending $827,000 on a shack you couldn’t even walk through.

“It was a considerable sum at the time and although the house was complete, it was decrepit,” Ms Kenny said.

“It was held up by a Chinese elm on one corner, in some places there were no floorboards, just carpet, and we had to remove 7m3 of rubbish.”

These weren’t the only challenges either.

It is now a luxe family home

---

Due to its character listing, the facade of the existing home had to be rebuilt, ammunition left behind by Peggy’s serviceman husband shut the site for a week, and historic sewer pipes caused further delays.

The Brisbane drought also added a host of red tape, followed by the floods of 2011 which created a scarcity of building materials.

“It was a real adventure during excavation as to what we would find,” Ms Kenny said.

“Then we had every building test imaginable thrown at us, so it took a very long time to build, and it was a real labour of love.”

---

Designed by architect John Price, who also lived on the street, the residence was finally completed in 2011.

Set on a 1262sq m block, the home spans four levels, and includes multiple living spaces, a wellness retreat looking out over the treetops, a car showroom, wine cellar, office, and rooftop terrace with views to the city.

Beyond the sprawling house is a swimming pool with spa, outdoor cinema with firepit, barbecue pavilion, and basketball half court as well as expansive lawns.

“Every person who comes here says ‘Wow’,” Ms Kenny said.

“You see it from the front, and it looks like a cottage, but you enter and it just keeps going.”

Open plan living is a feature

---

Purpose designed for family living, the house encompasses eight bedrooms spread across the four levels and offers a host of different zones for family members to retreat to and come together.

While the kitchen is the heart of the home, there are multiple living areas as well as outdoor terraces, balconies and an intimate courtyard complete with tropical plants and water feature.

The property looks over the treetops of neighbouring Brisbane Boys College and boasts views to Mt Coot-tha and Taringa, while the rooftop terrace takes in uninterrupted vistas of the city.

41 Grove Cres Toowong will go to auction on May 2

---

Over its 15 years, the house has seen Ms Kenny’s family grow from children into teens and now adults, and has played host to parties, get togethers, regular outdoor cinema nights, summers spent by the pool, and even band rehearsals.

“There’s not a part of this house that hasn’t been fully utilised,” Ms Kenny said.

“It’s been a really, really beautiful family home.”

The property is listed with Reuben Packer-Hill of Ray White Collective Luxury and will go to auction on May 2.