The Greystaines of today was erected in 1934 at the onset of a boom in purpose-built flat construction in Brisbane and as such, is important in illustrating part of the pattern of Queensland's history. There had been limited activity in purpose-built flat construction in Hamilton prior to this period and Greystaines was one of the first of the larger blocks of residential flats erected in this suburb. In the second half of the 1930s Hamilton became a popular venue for purpose-built flat construction in Brisbane, rivalling New Farm as a focus for flat developments. Purpose-built flat buildings were a phenomenon of the interwar period in Brisbane. They represented a new and modern form of living and their architecture reflected fashionable modern styles of the period.
THE GREYSTAINES OF TODAY
Greystaines went under contract to its present owners on 5th April 2005. Settlement took place on 30th June 2005. by which time grand plans were well underway for the renovation & refurbishment of this iconic structure. It has taken 5 rears and more than 50.000 man hours in total to finish this multi million dollar project with at times up to 21 tradesman's vehicles parked on site.
Greystaines consisted of 2 main buildings, a smaller 2 storey structure on Eden Lane and the larger 3 storey plus attic Spanish mission style structure fronting Kingsford Smith Drive.
The smaller building was built in 1905 and was home for the Greystaines caretaker and yardsman for many years. The Gatehouse is a rendered cavity brick 2 storey structure with concrete floors consisted of 2 bedrooms on the upper level and 1 storeroom, 2 laundries and a toilet with shower on the lower level. The upper level was being used for storage by Mrs Mueller. a Milliner, who lived in level 3 of the flats, and whose estate was the vendor of Greystaines at the time of its sale in 2005.
Despite its 100 years and its ad hoc addition of plumbing and wiring in recent rears. the Gatehouse was in very good condition. Its concrete floors and rendered brick walls were sealed and repainted. New wiring and plumbing was installed to allow one laundry and one toilet. The shower was deleted to allow for a hand basin with mixer tap in the toilet room. The intricate floor tiling and marble entries on the lower level were protected and restored to their former glory.
Incorrect era sliding glass doors to the upper level were removed to allow covered entry foyer to new ramps accessing the building. The entry foyer has new granite flooring and floor to ceiling marble. with electronically controlled ornate steel gate with intercom and security cameras.
The new ramps were designed by Graham Anderson. Architect, to replace an ugly steel ramp from 1950's which. along with similar chequer plate steel landings and stair cases, dominated the appearance of the building to the Eden Lane side. Ramps are obviously still necessary on this block which drops up to 12.5 metres from the Eden Lane aspect to the footpath frontage above the female convict built wall on Kingsford Smith Drive.
The new ramps are designed to have functionality and with minimal visual impact and have been tucked away to the western side of the block, away from the visage seen from Eden Lane. The entire project has been designed for disabled access. An Italian Domus Lift XL-DL which carries up to 400kg or 5 people. allows access to all levels of the house.
The original bare dirt parking are near Eden Lane has been transformed with a paved driveway branching to either an open parking area down at the level of the Grand Entry to the Greystaines house or to the new 7 car garage replacing approximately 50% of the upper parking level. The garage nestles around the Gatehouse. and has a frontispiece surrounding by soft neon lighting highlighting the Greystaines insignia, with 1934 (to reflect the date of completion of Greystaines House) against a granite background. The garage features cupboards with granite bench tops x2 and sink with mixertap. and opens into a large lockable storeroom in the Gatehouse.
Between the Gatehouse and Greystaines House is an open barbeque area with sandstone and slate paving. There is a gas outlet to service the BBQ, and a further underground supply to the front balcony at level I of Grevstaines House.
Greystaines House proper was converted from 6 x 2 bedroom flats to a single prestige residence of generous proportion suitable for a family requiring independent, private living areas within a family home with ample communal facilities.
Greystaines has 3 levels plus an attic for storage. Each level has its own character and defined activity.
The main entrance is from the entry foyer between levels 1 & 2, and has a grand curving staircase of steel construction with granite and carpet on the stairs with intricate balustrading. The area spans 2 levels and is dominated by a backlit waterfall of onyx, cascading from ceiling to floor. From the ceiling which is patterned to represent rays from the sun, hang 5 of the 26 original chandeliers. All of these chandeliers were protected from damage during the renovation and painstakingly repaired and restored by one of Australia's top chandelier experts. and are distributed throughout Greystanes House.
From the entry foyer. there is a view down through level one and its multiple rendered brick arches out to the Brisbane River views. Large slabs of Italian Calacutta marble were laid at entry and at level one, out to inviting radial features at each level.
Parties of up to 150 people have been catered from the BBQ area through to level 1 & out past the dance floor and its 16th century hall table out to the level 1 balcony.
Either side of this area are 2 fully self contained accommodation areas. one for the grandmother. & one for a married daughter and her husband. Both sides have a large bedroom, ensuite, kitchen and lounge dining areas. The western unit has a large study with patio as well. Its Poggenpohl kitchen was directly imported from Germany. and featured in their advertising. This ensuite has floor tiles & floor to ceiling tiling in marble. The eastern unit has a washing machine/ drier in the ensuite.
Level 2 features granite and marble tiled mezzanine overlooking the entry foyer, where a stringed quartet played at the daughter's engagement party. This area opens into the main kitchen. which has been featured in advertising for some of the suppliers involved.
The main kitchen features 64 soft close drawers. 2 fridges, 2 Miele dishwashers & Gaggenau steam oven, indicator cook top. warming drawer, gas wok cook, microwave. 3 sinks including commercial sink with insinkerator and zip tap. with granite bench tops and, marble splashbacks. Flooring is polished hardwood. The kitchen leads thru to the formal dining area which has 2 x 8 seater dining tables and features Brisbane River views where you can see from the Gateway Bridges to the Story Bridge. Flooring is granite tiling.
The Home Theatre seats 8 people in Regency theatre style with surround sound and retractable screen, and can be seen from one of the dining tables.
At either side of level 2 is a a private accommodation suite including large bedroom. ensuite study, and private sitting room (or 2nd bedroom). The eastern side also features a large build in walk in robe of 6.5 metres in length. The western side features a spa bath.
Level 3 is a large mastersuite featuring sunroom, kitchen, master bedroom. ensuite, lounge. his & hers studies, nursery. powder room and laundry. The sunroom, approximately 50m2 with bifold doors and multislide windows allowing it to be changed from indoor to an outdoor facility. It has granite and marble flooring and has 270° views over Hamilton Hill.
The kitchen has polished timber flooring Italian marble bench tops, dishwasher, insinkerator, 2 double Blanco sinks, soft close drawers, Miele oven. DeDietrich stove top. Smeg Range hood, Miele coffee maker and microwave.
The master bedroom is approximately 28 square metres and is serviced by two 8 arm chandeliers and leads into an ensuite with double shower. wc, Bidet, a sunken spa with views to the Port of Brisbane. The spa features automatic filling. Floors and walls of the ensuite are marble. and the built in vanity has double sinks of carved granite sitting on marble bench tops. The walk in robe is built in. His and hers studies have polished hoop pine flooring and feature hay windows with expansive views of Brisbane River. The front sitting room feature granite & marble flooring & spans out to Juliet style arched balconies with similar views, the powder room has floor to telling marble with shower, toilet & vanity.
During the renovation. all ceiling with asbestos containing fibro were removed. and attention was paid to sound proofing and fire proofing with double layer Frycheck plaster ceilings installed with fireproof mastic sealing each level before ornate cornices were installed.
Sound proofing was further enhanced with double glazing to windows facing Kingsford Smith Drive and to the east and west windows near Kingsford Smith.
Greystaines is fully air-conditioned with an individual ducted system for each level with the energy efficient Actron Air Company. There are also 3 Panasonic Inverter split systems.
The original wiring has been completely removed and replaced by a separate three phasepower supply to each level, with category 5 C Bus system computer, phone & T V points allowing multi option. Intercom, smoke detection & fire alarm systems have been installed. Security is provided by a 6 camera network with infrared sensing & continuous remote monitoring, electronic swipe card entry at all external doors, deadlocking and crimsafe screens.
Plumbing: Three separate 30mm copper systems supply the house. Four individual on demand gas systems provide hot water to each suite on level I & 2. while the third level is serviced by a solar water system with an on demand gas back up Further the third level has separate water, power, security, and access to allow separate titling if ever future owners desired to do so.
Eco friendly aspects: apart from the on demand gas HWS's and solar HWS, the cavity brick construction in itself saves on heating & cooling costs. as do the ever present river breezes available to take advantage of flow thru natural ventilation on all levels The low maintenance gardens are essentially self care, and by a 3000 litre water tank which drains the entire roof of the seven car garage. Tank water also supplies the car wash area, and 1 laundry & the toilet in the BBQ area.
Conclusion.
Therefore even though Greystaines has undergone an extensive renovation & refurbishment, great care has been taken to preserve its original appearance and amenity to the river. The ancient cycads adorning the front facade for decades have regained their appropriate presence in the view from the river and from the footpath outside after the overgrown gardens have been refurbished. The exterior colour scheme was returned to its original whitewash appearance. Where the modem white acrylic paint was peeling, the underlying colours were discovered and matched by our heritage inspired painters.
Penetrations for provision of services have been hidden between the levels after removal of asbestos ceiling. Internal plumbing, power supplies to wall fittings were chased into walls and rendered back over. Old external plumbing & power supplies were removed & marks repaired.
Steel landings tacked onto the back of the house have been removed. as has the illegal roofing attached to the rear patio on level 3. In its place is the sunroom & grand entry foyer described above, with its glass and aluminium external features contrasting the old Greystaines.
Major Builder: A H Done Builders PTY LTD
Architect: Graham Anderson Architects
Electrical Work: Energize Industries
Plaster Work: Hill Interior Linings PTY LTD
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