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69 Ellenborough Street
Ipswich QLD 4305
House
Currently for sale - view listing
Overview
"BOWERBANK" STANDING PROUDLY ABOVE THE CITY SINCE 1914
High upon historic Denmark Hill, where the city unfolds beneath you and the distant Brisbane skyline appears on the horizon, stands a landmark, stately and breathtaking residence that has occupied an extraordinary 2393m2 parcel of Ipswich's most prized land for more than a century.
Built in 1914, this magnificent Federation Arts and Crafts inspired residence is not merely a beautiful and stunning home overlooking Ipswich. It is a landmark an imposing architectural statement, a piece of living history and one of the city's most amazing, talked about and distinctive residences, so close to the family friendly Denmark Hill Conservation Reserve.
For more than 110 years, Bowerbank has stood proudly above the city, its towering presence softened by elegant leadlight windows, terraced gardens, mature greenery and the gentle movement of its working fountains with historic terracotta figures.
It is from this elevated position that generations have watched Ipswich change below, while this remarkable, masterful and grand home has remained a constant.
Designed by celebrated Ipswich architect George Brockwell Gill for William Fox, known to the Ipswich community as "Fox the Chemist" and his wife Florence Fox, Bowerbank was created in an era when homes were built not merely to be occupied, but to endure.
William Fox was a man of considerable standing in the community and as such sought the expertise of Brockwell Gill to design a home that would showcase not only his own personal achievements as Ipswich's largest pharmacist but also Ipswich, as a place of wealth, grandeur and intrigue.
The name Bowerbank was based on the maiden name of Mrs Fox, who was the daughter of Former Ipswich Mayor Maurice Bowers and the property's Iconic "Fox" statues have sat proudly upon its gate posts for over 100 years pay homage to William and Florence's last name.
It is awe-inspiring entering a property that has carried its original identity through more than a century of change.
Buyers who appreciate fine antiques or antique styled and period furnishings are about to feel their heart race as Bowerbank is being offered for sale fully furnished, with many exquisite pieces.
The pressed metal ceilings that feature throughout much of Bowerbank, rich timberwork, lead light windows, fixed leadlight panels and ornamental sandblasted mirror panels all speak of a level of craftsmanship and grandeur that feels increasingly unimaginable today.
Yet Bowerbank is not a museum, it is a stunning family residence that has evolved with the times while retaining the architectural soul that makes it so irreplaceable.
Across its multiple levels, the home reveals an extraordinary collection of grand yet functional rooms and living spaces.
Showcasing three distinctive and large bedrooms with high pressed ornate metal ceilings, a dedicated home office with external access, a formal lounge room with bay window, a stately dining room, a Library, a ballroom and a huge function room with catering facilities on its lower level, this charming home will excite and intrigue at every turn.
The dramatic ballroom boasting 3.7m ceilings, with a fascinating Pianola, is perhaps one of Bowerbank's most unexpected treasures whilst being one of its most iconic external design features.
Grand in scale and elegant in character, it possesses the sort of theatricality rarely encountered in a private residence. It is a room made for celebration, for entertaining, for long lunches and memorable evenings a truly spectacular space to admire the calming easterly breezes and panoramic views this hilltop vantage provides.
The more formal rooms and areas of the home carry a different kind of remarkable elegance.
Here soaring ceilings & expansive timber archways successfully create an atmosphere of distinction and permanence. This home also features some of the most intricate and impressive pressed metal ceilings of the era including, in the formal lounge, a depiction of the Four Seasons.
The updated kitchen of the home and large walk-in pantry introduce a contemporary note, bringing modern practicality into a home otherwise rich with historic character. It is an elegant juxtaposition of old and new thoughtful rather than contrived.
Internal stairs lead to the lower level of the of the residence where you will discover a substantial function room, in the past accommodating 100 seated guests for fundraisers and family functions with ease.
This large space offers catering facilities and bathroom facilities and provides a versatile area that could potentially be transformed into a highly desirable dual-living arrangement.
With room for a self- contained styled living arrangement if required for the extended family or adult children the lower level of the home could possibly become an entirely separate living zone or private residence within the residence.
As you make your way to the exterior of the home the Bowerbank experience becomes even more extraordinary.
The terraced gardens follow the natural contours of Denmark Hill, creating layers of greenery, privacy and visual drama. It is a garden with presence beautifully established, wonderfully secluded and utterly fitting for a home of this stature. The bird life is abundant given the proximity to the Denmark Hill Conservation Reserve, which is an amazing and fascinating habitat for a diverse range of native flora and fauna.
Woven through the gardens are the historic working fountains of Bowerbank, and an abundance of antique urns and statuettes which grace the beautiful courtyard and terraces. Another talking point is the "Hot House", which was originally built for Mr and Mrs Fox's son so that he could nurture and attend to his award-winning orchid collection.
Climb higher still and Bowerbank
This property is being sold by auction or without a price and therefore a price guide cannot be provided. The website may have filtered the property into a price bracket for website functionality purposes.
Features
Happy sellers in Ipswich
92%
92% of sellers in Ipswich reported that their sale price either exceeded or met their price expectations.
Ipswich stands out for consistently delivering exceptional satisfaction and strong market results for homeowners.
This is based on voluntary sentiment collected from 7 reviews in Ipswich over the last 12 months.
Local market activity for 3 bedroom houses in Ipswich
In the last 12 months, 23 three-bedroom houses similar to 69 Ellenborough Street, have been sold.
This represents a 9% decrease in three-bedroom houses sales when compared to the previous 12 months.
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For Sale
For Rent
View the listing for inspection times, agent contact details, and more.
Glenn Ball
at Place Purpose Group Stafford
