This eye-catching house at 161 Dornoch Terrace has been the subject of plenty of local discussion over the past fortnight, with a proposal before Brisbane City Council for its demolition. The land-owners were required to advertise their proposal and that sparked a flurry of submissions to Council and a healthy “liking” of a Facebook page set up to show opposition to the proposal.
Submissions closed yesterday so we’ll have to wait and see what BCC decide. The neighbourhood’s got a rich history of development applications causing controversy - the land immediately behind this house was known as the Gully and saw a long and tense debate before development proceeded as what’s now the extension of Brydon Street.
It’s rare to find vacant land in Highgate Hill and opportunities to build a new home don’t come up often. The development of Brydon Street (after a controversial battle with the local community a number of years back) provided around 26 new lots and all but 3 of them are now built on.
So the last couple of listings of land have generated some strong enquiry. We’ve just sold a post-war house in Dornoch Terrace (which isn’t covered by the demolition control precinct) and the number of calls we had was really encouraging. The market’s appetite for an allotment in an elevated location is strong.
Markets come and markets go, but there’s no doubt quality locations retain their appeal where others might falter.
There’s often chat in the market about “all those big apartment buildings” proposed for the area and how they might impact Highgate Hill. It’s hard to embrace change and especially when it effects our homes and through them our immediate lifestyle.
Ironically though Highgate Hill’s biggest apartment buildings have been a part of our local landscape for many years.
Torbreck, Beaumont and Dornoch Towers all line Dornoch Terrace, prominent on its high ridgeline and soaking in fabulous views. Rising 10 to 13 storeys from the street level these would be tall even if they were down low near the river. And they’re on one of Brisbane’s highest land areas.
Completed in 1960 Torbreck is still Highgate Hill’s most densely populated building with estimates ranging up to 300 residents. Beaumont has 48 apartments, just tipping Dornoch Towers with 45, both buildings having been built in the mid 1970’s.
There are a lot of apartments in the suburb – about half its 2000 dwellings in fact. And for the most part they are little buildings of 6-12 apartments. The challenge for Council, the development community and existing local residents, is to manage the increase in the number of apartments while protecting all that’s important to our lifestyles.
Here’s a West End dining-out guide with a difference!! I’ve always found there’s plenty of choice at the restaurants and cafes along Boundary St - but these guys take dining out to a whole new level. If you live in Colville St or Dornoch Terrace you may have had visitors you didn’t know about… take a look here.
More facts, figures and photo’s than you can poke a stick at here! Historical images of the promotion and construction of the landmark “Torbreck” building on the top of Highgate Hill. Click here to take a look. If you’ve ever lived at Torbreck or you just drive past it and have wondered what’s different about this building you’ll find a lot of answers on this site.
This one caught my eye last time I was in the lobby at Torbreck. Hung proudly for the residents and visitors to enjoy, the inset writing reads “Tapestry of original “Torbreck” 182 Dornoch Terrace, Highgate Hill built in 1875 demolished in 1958. Tapestry by Miss Julie Moynihan, long time resident of Torbreck. Donated 2009.” Not many locals can remember what was there before the first ever high-rise was built but it’s obviously dear memory to Julie.
Do you have pieces of Art showing a local landmark?
Remember when “burning off” was a Saturday afternoon smell? Someone in the street would have just finished cleaning up their yard and lit their little pile of dried branches, leaves and anything else they could find that would light up.Mum would have to race out and bring in the washing so everything didn’t smell like smoke.
It wasn’t that long ago…. and here’s some evidence at Camelot Terrace apartments on Dornoch Terrace at West End. You won’t see it driving by, but if you visit someone in this building make sure you pay attention to the “Goodrid Incinerators” instruction plate on the side so you don’t stoke the fire at the wrong time.
A garage sale in Highgate Hill?… not this time. Just a lonely piano which might have played it’s last note. Not what you expect to see on the driveway of a Dornoch Terrace home – but there it was this early this morning when I was out for my morning walk. If you tried to play it as you walked by we’d love to hear.
We’d like to hear your thoughts on West End Community Association’s (WECA’s) latest concept to add more green space to the peninsula. They’ve named the proposal “Hampstead Common” and the idea is to add shady trees and “shaded park pockets” to create “playspaces and recreation areas” along Hampstead Rd between Dornoch Terrace and Vulture Street . The plan would see the street narrowed whilst still allowing for 2-way traffic and parking.
The site is adjacent to the landmark Torbreck tower.
A development proposal to construct a multi storey residential tower next door to Torbreck was put on hold last year – a decision which proved to be the right one. The site has been held by the family of one of Highgate Hill’s long time residents for generations and the plans to build were in place until their joint venture partner, Gold Coast based developer Raptis Group, hit financial trouble.
Latest news is that creditors have approved a plan to get troubled Raptis Group back on its feet. The group went into voluntary administration under BRI Ferrier in January after a number of its major developments went bust, including the $700 million Hilton Hotel site in the heart of Surfers Paradise. The Dornoch Terrace site is a landmark project for Highgate Hill, a once in a generation opportunity.
This eye-catching house at 161 Dornoch Terrace has been the subject of plenty of local discussion over the past fortnight, with a proposal before Brisbane City Council for its demolition. The land-owners were required to advertise their proposal and that sparked a flurry of submissions to Council and a healthy “liking” of a Facebook page set up to show opposition to the proposal.
