Rangemoor - Robin S. Dods

This graceful timber residence was built for John W.H. Grout, merchant, soldier and Spanish Vice-Consul, and his wife, Winnifred, in 1907. It was designed by prominent Queensland architect, Robin S. Dods, and illustrates some of the key elements of Dods’ work, for example the dominant roof, generous verandahs and simple yet sophisticated timber detailing. ‘Rangemoor’ was subsequently occupied for many years by obstetrician and paediatrician, Dr Charles A. Thelander and his family.

The following information is from the Brisbane City Council Heritage Register.
 
In the early 1900s, Clayfield and the neighbouring suburbs of Albion and Ascot were well established as fashionable addresses for the city’s professional and mercantile families such as the Trittons and the McWhirters. Many of the substantial houses built in the area were architect designed and surrounded by generous gardens with tennis courts or other recreational facilities. In the late nineteenth century, John William Huggins Grout was in a partnership as Charlton and Grout, stock and share brokers and commission agents, operating in Queen St, Brisbane. The partnership was dissolved in December 1899. Grout then joined the Queensland militia and was a Lieutenant in the Moreton Regiment, and vice president of its rifle club. He moved to Dalby in 1900 where he worked for the Queensland National Bank. Grout was instrumental in the formation of the Dalby Company of the Queensland Mounted Infantry and became its first Commanding Officer. By July 1902, Grout had returned to Brisbane where his occupation was recorded as a merchant. He also took up the role of Vice-Consul for Spain.

 

In the early 1900s, Clayfield and the neighbouring suburbs of Albion and Ascot were well established as fashionable addresses for the city’s professional and mercantile families such as the Trittons and the McWhirters. Many of the substantial houses built in the area were architect designed and surrounded by generous gardens with tennis courts or other recreational facilities. 

‘Rangemoor’ was constructed on an acre of land in Adelaide Street purchased in the name of Grout’s wife, Winifred, in September 1907. In November 1907, Grout commissioned the firm of Hall and Dods to design their new home. The building was put to tender and erected for £1,280. The large, timber home displays many of the signature characteristics found in Dods’ domestic designs such as the dominant roof form, side entrance porch, generous verandahs and restrained timber detailing, as well as some Spanish or Moorish features which perhaps reflected Grout’s consular role. The wave shaped timber verandah valance was featured in at least two other Brisbane houses designed by Dods -  the 1902 Littledike residence in Drane Street (since demolished) and the Drake residence in Richmond Street, Morningside (also 1902).