Presenting Tintagel, one of the finest, most iconic and highly sought after residences in all of Brisbane, thanks to its incomparable rare north facing absolute riverfront position, grand proportions and incredible heritage.
Originally built in 1835 as the Bank of Australasia in the heart of the burgeoning Brisbane City, the building is constructed entirely from Harcourt granite – every block having been brought up from Victoria by bullock train. In 1982 it was moved to its present position where it now sits resplendent upon three lots with spectacular views along two reaches of the Brisbane River and encompassing the present day CBD in the distance. History certainly abounds here, with antique fittings and finishes sequestered from both Australia and England, adorning every room. Particular highlights includes the carved fireplace in the master bedroom designed by Architect John Nash (who also designed Buckingham Palace) and the hand-painted glass doors to the dining room which came from The Savoy Hotel, London.
The formal sitting room is certainly another excellent historical display with its carved ornate timbers from Euros Church in London and spectacular hand-painted stained glass panelling of the four parables. It also boasts another stunningly ornate carved fireplace – one of four throughout the home. The nearby formal dining room is similarly noteworthy, with the soaring dual-storey space creating an appropriate sense of dimension for the grand ceiling from Her Majesty’s Theatre and the imposing French artwork that is to remain with the home. The kitchen is fully equipped to service this impressive dining area with its stainless steel Miele appliances, granite bench tops and butler’s pantry, ideal for when entertaining. It is also ideally located to service the adjacent casual family zone as well as the alfresco riverfront dining area.
Upstairs, the main bedroom takes its cue from the intricately detailed carved plaster ceiling and panelling which was rescued from the old Regent Theatre. Wonderfully charming in every sense, the ceiling is complemented by a carved marble fireplace, an ensuite constructed of Italian Rosa Rora marble and breathtaking views framed by a grand bay window. There are a further three bedrooms on this upper floor which all share the family bathroom. As with the master bedroom, one of these rooms has access to the wide balcony that runs almost the entire width of the building. Other features include a dual car garage, private study, utility room, third bathroom, air-conditioning, intercom and security. Outside the property is fully fenced with inviting gardens, riverfront terraces, a pool and imposing circular drive.
Finally, for a property so steeped in history, one of the nicest features has to be that down by the water’s edge there are two caves – both of which were originally inhabited by the indigenous people of the area and so add perhaps an entire millennia onto the rich past Tintagel has worked so hard to create. To create a built history one needs time, and that is why this property is so very unique. Yes, it is edging towards 200 years old – a veritable milestone for Brisbane, but due to the incredible work of its owners past and present it is able to offer a far greater heritage – for the priceless fittings and fixtures that adorn the home date back hundreds of years. And while each individual item’s provenance has been carefully preserved, they have now all come together to become part of the story of Tintagel.