Offered for sale by expressions of interest is this remarkable Mactaggarts warehouse loft conversion that renews its devotion to its almost 100-year-old English trading heritage.
Behind the intimate panelled sitting room and generous entry hall lies the perfect exemplar of all the authentic character that a Teneriffe Woolstore apartment can offer.
Affectionately dubbed 'The Atrium' by its current owners, the apartment is one of only twenty-four 2bedroom, 2bathroom wool store lofts left on the Brisbane river. A rarity sure to impress even the biggest Teneriffe precinct enthusiast.
Perched in the rafters, the original conversion in the mid 1990's suffered from an early attempt at minimalism; the result was a particularly sterile sea of white; with the only exceptions being a rather garish kitchen in fire engine red, and floors adorned with schoolhouse blue polyester carpet.
The new renovation philosophy was simple. Research and Restore the apartment to its original authentic character, and marry this with a sympathetic update to reflect the provenance and contemporary lifestyle of the Teneriffe community. The process of bringing it to life required often painstaking efforts and careful consideration to every detail.
The first stage was restoring all original features, and stripping the apartment of its recent bastardisations:
- Exposing the 94 yr old English oak beams
- Exposing the brick exterior facing wall (highlighting the English bricks used as ballast on returning wool ships)
- Repainted the entire apartment a soft palette of premium Farrow and Ball French Gray and Dulux Professional low sheen Bone White, Antique Ruin, and Beige Intent.
- Painting all metal supporting pillars and braces in iron grey in contrast to the soft interior hues.
The next step was about enhancing the character of the apartment, nodding to its origins, utilising thoroughly contemporary fixtures and fittings
- Oversized walnut timber ceiling fan above the open plan living and meal areas
- Installing custom timber plantation shutters in both bedroom windows to control light, temperature and air flow, and maximise the apartments North Eastern aspect.
- Fitting 4m drop custom living room drapes (reminiscent of cotton and linen widely used in Australia in 1924).
- Floor boards mirroring the oak beams (including gold standard insulation)
- Heritage wall panelling in the front bedroom (current set up as a sitting room)
- Installation of a new kitchen with modern shaker style cabinetry, exposed timbers and subway tiled splashbacks. (including stainless steel appliances)
- Updating all electrical plugs and points to today's standard
In the owner's words. What we love about the apartment:
- The location and proximity to Gasworks, New Farm park and village, and of course the convenience of all transport links on your doorstep
- The building and garden itself and its delightfully restorative riverfront setting, including huge residential gardens, heated pool, lawns, seating areas and bbq facilities
- Being perched in the rafters is absolutely private, airy, peaceful & quiet
- The huge 6meter high ceilings and oak beams still impress years after their unmasking
- The light and natural air enjoyed by every room; including windows to the outside world in both bedrooms, often sorely missing in wool store apartments.
- The river breezes and morning light dancing on the walls and ceilings
- Living on the top floor without overhead noise amongst respectful fellow owner-occupier neighbours
- Great coffee under the figs on site at Dots cafe. (Meg's banana bread is to die for)
Other details and important bits to note:
- Title contains one undercover security carpark
- Included fixtures: Library shelving, bedroom armoire and floating hall cupboards
- Body corporate fees indicative of heritage upkeep $1,640 / qtr
- Building sinking and working funds stand at $200,000
- Styled by interior designer Corey Forsyth. Details available on request through Ray White New Farm
