Brisbane’s ‘worst house’ turned architectural masterpiece for sale

Today, after a mammoth transformation led by owner Rebecca Kenny and renowned architect John Price, the property at 41 Grove Crescent, Toowong has been reborn as one of the city’s most significant and luxurious residential masterpieces.

The architectural masterpiece is being marketed by Ray White Ray White Toowong principal Reuben Packer-Hill and Ayrton Lim is set to go under the hammer on 2 May.

Hidden behind a modest, unassuming facade that pays homage to the original cottage, the eight-bedroom, six-bathroom sanctuary unfolds over five levels on a massive 1,262sqm elevated block.

When Ms Kenny purchased the property at auction in 2007, she wasn't just buying a fixer-upper; she was taking on a local legend of neglect.

The original structure was held up by a Chinese Elm tree, the floors were collapsing, and it took 740 cubic meters of rubbish - cleared with snow shovels - to empty the interior.

The site even required an ADF sweep after WWII-era ammunition was discovered, Ms Kenny said.

“It was like an episode of Hoarders,” she said.

“The house had to be knocked down completely because the wood was too deteriorated.

“We rebuilt the facade as an homage to the original cottage, but the goal was to create a space that could handle the beautiful chaos of a large family.”

One of the home's most striking architectural feats is the integration of the swimming pool into the very bones of the structure.

“Because the steep Toowong terrain limited deep excavation, the pool was built into the house rather than the ground,” Ms Kenny said.

“This led to the creation of the aquatic windows - three massive windows which form part of the pool, and viewing portals.

“From the downstairs gym you can look directly into the depths of the pool and know where the kids are!”

We were faced with the possibility of having a dark corridor down there, Ms Kenny said.

“Instead, we installed windows into the pool. The way the light hits the hallways is incredible.

“When you go down to the gym to exercise, it’s a quiet 'dead zone' where you can focus, all while watching the kids swim through the glass.

“It turns a functional space into something meditative.”

Designed to accommodate four children, including a daughter with severe intellectual disabilities, the home was built with “connection and retreat” as its guiding principles.

“There is a kids’ wing, which is a dedicated level with sliding doors between bedrooms, allowing siblings to stay connected or retreat into private spaces,” Ms Kenny said.

“There’s a rooftop terrace with city views, a private car showroom, a home cinema with an outdoor projector, and a self-contained guest wing.”