Palm Springs Inspiration! - Listed for A$1,195,000

Chater Street Residence - by Architect Donald Spencer

An opportunity to reside within this ‘Chater Street Residence’ also known by its current Modernist owners as 'The House of Tomorrow' designed by futurist Architect Donald Spencer and Spencer Architects, Robin Spencer in 1966 now exists. However, another opportunity under Brisbane City Council laws, you could explore the opportunity and choose to remodel or remove this home and utilise its majestic hillside position occupying a larger than average 663sqm.

Donald Spencer like many of the new young breed of architects at that time challenged the establishment with clean simple design elements bringing with it building materials that would easily last. Floor to ceiling blankets of glazing framed with masonry and timbers and straight building lines, assisted this ‘Chater Street Residence’ to blend into its perfect breezy hillside allotment. It features a flat roof and three angled diamond shaped pavilions. Whilst some may consider that it is quite modest in size, this hillside residence comfortably more than makes up for it. A considered design that truly provides optimum liveability from all seasonal weather, whilst gifting its occupant’s complete privacy. The remarkable yet uncommon design ideal for our Queensland climate, creates the perfect interplay with associated outdoor patios that promote relaxation and entertaining for year-round enjoyment helped by selected garden plantings for privacy.

The current custodians have not only restored their prized home but have additionally taken their established gardens to another level with strategic courtyard plantings, privacy hedging and a wonderful Japanese garden at the rear which Donald Spencer would have been proud of as he too had explored Japanese architecture throughout his career in a variety of ways and materials in stylised interior design.

This now beautiful 'Palm Springs inspired' home offers a planned cacti and rockery gardens featuring Arizona barrel cacti, showcasing the property and immediately evident when you first arrive.

Beyond the double carport is the statement orange front door, an original light fitting and house number also sourced from Palm Springs.

Enjoy but appreciate an entertainer’s paradise with an adjoined combination of living, dining and galley kitchen spilling out to patios two ways and a covered courtyard for outside dining and cocktail functions. The kitchen is authentic, simplistic, and extremely functional with a server window and a breakfast bar at the end. Plus, a large separate walk-in pantry with original skylight.

There are three double bedrooms that all contain period wardrobes, with the main and third bedroom including a built-in buffet still in great condition and use. The updated bathroom with its own skylight, beams natural light and the toilet is separated.

A standout feature though must be the Japanese garden which has dedicated walkways through, that lead to an inground pool, sizable Hawaiian Tiki cabana and easy to manage fishpond all sitting nicely amongst manicured bonsai plantings and feature grasses. Orange accents appear along the fence line with artistic paintings of fish and enjoyed whilst in this relaxing setting. Sitting at the back of the property is a shed and hobbyists’ workshop previously used to build boats.

We believe that architecture lives beyond fashion and great architecture should be able to be visited decades later with the same excitement and appreciation of its design, testament to its surroundings that it was designed to fit in and grow with. This property is one of those!

Listed by Martin Hood at Hood Estate Agents, Australia
For more information contact Martin at martin@hoodestateagents.com.au