One-time open homes for Brisbane's luxury new builds
'Palma by Graya' in Ascot and 'Mosman' in Bulimba have been listed for sale and each will have just a single, one-hour inspection on Saturday, June 14, after racking up thousands of views online.
'Palma' will be open from 11.15am on Saturday, while 'Mosman' will be open from 1pm.
Both properties were designed by architect Tim Stewart with 'Mosman' developed by Michael and Natalie Ajaje of FBI Interiors constructed by McBryde Builders, while 'Palma' was a collaboration between Graya and Purdy Developments.
On the market through Heath Williams of Place New Farm, 'Palma' is built into a sloping block and has 694 sqm of living spread across three levels with five bedrooms, a six-car garage, a wine cellar and city views.
'Mosman' is for sale through Sarah Hackett of Place New Farm and has five bedrooms, a wine cellar with custom roulette table, a yoga studio and an eight-car garage with Ferrari mural.
Ms Hackett said unusually, the Bulimba home was being sold not only turnkey but also completely furnished.
'Someone is going to save years of their life and most likely money by buying this home,' she said.
'At this price point, the buyers are usually working mums and dads who are time poor.
'Not only has the hard work already been done (at 'Mosman'), but they have ticked every box and got it just right.'
Ms Hackett said Saturday's open home was sure to draw interest from anyone wanting to see behind the striking facade of 'Mosman'.
'It's hard to not have a reaction when you go through this home,' she said.
'The ceiling heights are enormous, the staircase was craned in and finished in venetian plaster, the master bedroom is as big as an apartment we're selling in New Farm, and the roulette table in the wine cellar is Casino-grade.'
'Mosman' owner and developer, Michael Ajaje said he and his wife set out to create the ultimate family entertainer with a beach club vibe after several other successful builds.
'We took the best of what we've learnt and seen over the years and put everything into this home,' he said.
The couple, who own FBI Interiors, built and decorated the property like it was their forever home.
'We wanted to show the locals, our customers and the people of Brisbane what can be achieved,' Mr Ajaje said
'This is the biggest and best we've done so far.'
Mr Ajaje said his favourite part of the home was the open plan kitchen and living space with curved staircase and seven arch windows, while the master suite was also a showstopper.
'The master walk-in is like a high end Prada shop with beautiful glass cabinetry … and the concrete bathtub and curved wall in the ensuite is definitely the star of the bathroom,' he said.
'We used lots of venetian plaster and microcement to create a European style that feels very suited to Queensland.'
'Palma' marketing agent, Mr Williams said this weekend's open home was the first time for him at this price point.
'I sold 'Larc by Graya', which was strictly by appointment for pre-approved buyers as it was a private residence, and we had just four groups through,' he said.
'('Palma') is one of those rare opportunities where a brand new build of this calibre has come to the market.
'So, we negotiated one open home and the rest by appointment only.'
Mr Williams said an in-person inspection would allow people to appreciate the privacy, position and northerly aspect of the home, as well as the scale and balance of the interiors.
'There has been a lot of intention put into making the floorplan work,' he said.
'The joinery in the kitchen goes up 3m and that void, though it could have been a negative, it is balanced quiet perfectly, and the sculptural staircase isn't overpowering.
'This could be a big family home but also could be a downsizer home.'
Craig Purdy of Purdy Developments said Ascot property was a nod to the Mallorca capital of Palma.
'The topography on the island leans toward luxury residences built into the side of the hills, which are also elevated to provide stunning views,' Mr Purdy said.
Like the luxury home of Mallorca, 'Palma' was designed to make use of its elevated city position.
'It is always our preference to have basements at street level in order to have the living levels elevated to capture summer breezes and the sun in winter,' Mr Purdy said.
Mr Purdy said visitors to the open home should take time to admire the curved staircase and the use of robust materials featured throughout the home.
'The staircase a piece of art in its own right,' he said.
'This is the first time we've done a curved staircase across three levels.'
Mr Purdy said the team behind 'Palma' was proud to show the finished product not only to the community, but to the construction industry.
'Often the engineers, the town planners, the certifiers, they work on projects and never get to see them when they're finished, yet they're so intrinsic to building the building,' he said.
Mr Purdy said the open home was also an opportunity for the public to find inspiration for their own homes.
'In our early days that's what my wife and I did,' he said.
'We went to see products we aspired to, and worked out how to put that into our residence.
'It might an element in the kitchen or in the butler's pantry or a design element in the ensuite – you can capture those and find a way to build that within your budget.'
'Palma' at 29 Towers St, Ascot, will be open for an hour from 11.15am on Saturday, June 14
'Mosman' at 29 Henderson St, Bulimba, will be open from 1pm on Saturday, June 14.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
Silence over Marinus Link deal defended, but it could cost Liberals government
The business case for Tasmania's biggest ever infrastructure project details significant power price increases for industrial businesses and warnings that the government may be exposed to "very significant" financial risk in the future. But it also says proceeding now "maximises the opportunities from the state's natural competitive advantages in renewable energy, improves energy security and increases economic growth". The state was signed up to Marinus Link on Thursday night by the Liberal government, which is governing in caretaker mode, and which promised — but failed — to release the business case beforehand. The project is a proposed multi-billion-dollar undersea cable connecting Tasmania and Victoria, designed to futureproof energy and communications needs on both sides of Bass Strait. Tasmanian Energy Minister Nick Duigan signed the deal on Thursday night and he and Premier Jeremy Rockliff announced it in Burnie as a summary of the whole-of-state business case was made public. A decade in the making with the federal and Victorian governments, and signed as crossbench MPs and the Labor opposition cried foul about secrecy, it can now be seen by the public. Mr Duigan said the silence was necessary during the negotiations to ensure the government did not "trade away Tasmania's advantage". Mr Rockliff said the deal that had been struck was "a bloody good deal for Tasmania". "We're not going to show our hand and give away Tasmania's best interests," he said. He said the state's portion of the investment was capped at $103 million, for 17.7 per cent of the project equity, which can be sold back to the federal government once the project is completed. Mr Duigan said the deal negotiated in recent weeks with the federal government included a $346 million GST-free grant to develop the north-west transmission lines that would feed power to the Marinus Link, which would deliver a "substantial benefit to customers". However, he could not detail how that would affect the average Tasmanian household energy bill. He did say the "typical household" would see an annual power price reduction of between $25 and $34, before the figures in the new deal were included. Mr Duigan could not put a number on how the new deal would affect household power bills, but he expected them to be "somewhat better" off. A 25-page executive summary was published by the Treasury department shortly before Mr Duigan and Mr Rockliff made their announcement. Mr Duigan said the full business case — which is about 400 pages long — was still being worked through by Treasury, which he said needed to redact certain information that was not Tasmania's to publish. The executive summary does detail how Marinus Link would affect electricity bills through the cost of building new transmission infrastructure, and wholesale energy costs. "Future government policy on the Tasmanian regulatory framework and customer rebates, together with decisions of the Tasmanian Economic Regulator, will be critical in determining the final electricity bill outcome for Tasmanian customers," the report reads. Although Mr Duigan has claimed lower power prices for households and small businesses, the report details "very large increases" for the state's major industrials — which include Bell Bay Aluminium, the Nyrstar zinc smelter and the Boyer paper mill. Together, the major industrials would see their prices rise about $20 million in the years beyond 2030 with construction of Marinus, compared with the past financial year. That is an increase of about 45 per cent on their combined spend of $42 million in 2024-25, and would come at a time "when there appears to be a range of pressures building on major industry nationwide". Mr Rockliff said the project would provide an extra $470 million to the state's bottom line each year, in the form of Hydro Tasmania's trade in electricity. He said this would allow for greater investment each year in the state's schools, hospitals and roads, and said it would create more than 2,000 jobs in the state. But the business case notes further costs and the possibility of significant risk if the project does not proceed as smoothly as is hoped. More than $100 million in equity contributions to the Marinus Link company after the final investment decision (FID) "may be required", which would need to be considered in this year's budget. And the governments involved are exposed to "increasing financial risks and potentially very significant additional equity calls" if environmental or planning approvals are not achieved. "The previously agreed sole underwriting of such risks by the Australian government fall away once notices-to-proceed are made to suppliers subsequent to a positive FID in the third quarter of 2025," the business case reads. It also notes that Hydro Tasmania would face "increased competition" in the renewable energy space in the future, which may affect its potential revenue opportunities. Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Michael Bailey welcomed the news the deal had been signed and said it would be "a pivotal moment" for the state. "Tasmania's energy generation isn't keeping up with demand. "Marinus Link will underpin new generation projects and help grow the economy and support businesses around the state that need more energy," Mr Bailey said. The Tasmanian end of the undersea cable will be in Burnie. The city's mayor, Teeny Brumby, said it was a "catalytic" moment. "It unlocks unprecedented economic, environmental and social benefits for our region," Councillor Brumby said. The announcement was also welcomed by Hydro Tasmania and the Marinus Link company, as well as by the state's telecommunications advocacy group, TasICT. However, the announcement also signalled the end of independent Braddon MP Craig Garland's potential support of a future Liberal government. Long outspoken against Marinus, Mr Garland said he now believed only Labor could deliver stable government for Tasmania. For his part, Labor leader Dean Winter said Tasmanians "won't have confidence" in Marinus until all relevant information is released, and said the Liberals had been "needlessly secretive". But Mr Rockliff said he would stand by Marinus, even if it cost him his job.
ABC News
2 hours ago
- ABC News
Red tape cut for farmers looking to build small on-farm abattoirs in Victoria
The Victorian government will change the state planning rules for micro abattoirs, allowing farmers to fast-track the construction of small processing facilities on their properties. On Thursday, the Victorian government tabled its response to the inquiry into the food security in Victoria report. The inquiry, which delivered its report in November, found demand for fresh fruit and vegetables was increasing as the state's population grew, and urban encroachment into farmland was making it difficult and expensive to grow food close to Victorian cities. The report made 33 recommendations and, in its response, the Victorian government said it would support in full or in part 29 of the recommendations, including the suggestion that it should be easier for small producers to access kill facilities for livestock. Small producers have faced limited options for processing their animals after large, often foreign-owned, abattoirs stopped taking small orders. In its response, the Victorian government said it would amend its planning provisions "to make it easier to establish micro abattoirs in appropriate rural and regional areas". This will mean that on most rural and agriculture-zoned land, small abattoirs will not require a planning permit. Those abattoirs will still be subject to health and environmental laws, with the Environmental Protection Authority and Victorian meat regulator Primesafe sign-off needed. Central Victoria farmer and spokesperson for the Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance Tammi Jonas said it had taken her several years to get the planning permits for her micro abattoir, but the change would substantially lower the red tape. She said the facilities were important for small businesses like hers that did not process large numbers of animals to supply farmers' markets, local cafes and restaurants. Chinese-owned abattoir Kilcoy Global Foods stopped taking small orders last year, forcing Ms Jonas to drive more than three hours to get her animals processed. "It's going to be a massive relief for everyone to hear that we won this because the access has been diminishing rapidly across Australia, not only in Victoria," Ms Jonas said. She said small-scale abattoirs on farms could provide better welfare outcomes for animals, with less travel and stress on livestock prior to processing. Ms Jonas said she knew of at least six similar small abattoir projects that, once the changes were made by the Victorian government, would face minimal planning processes. Ms Jones said she thought other states should follow suit. A Victorian government spokesperson said they hoped to make the planning amendments by the end of the year. "Micro abattoirs will soon be treated as part of a full range of farming activities on those located in farming, rural activity, and green wedge zones — this aligns with the way boning rooms on farms are already treated," the spokesperson said. "This will make it easier for small-scale producers to control their whole supply chain while continuing to meet Victoria's high food safety and animal welfare requirements and environmental protection and community amenity standards." Victorian Farmers Federation livestock president Scott Young said the farming body would be "closely watching how these planning reforms are implemented" and wanted to make sure food safety, animal welfare, and traceability systems were maintained. "We must ensure any new micro abattoir approvals uphold those standards, not create loopholes that could put markets or community trust at risk," he said. "Supporting local processing is a good thing — but it must be done right, with appropriate oversight and a level playing field for all producers."
ABC News
2 hours ago
- ABC News
ATM supplier atm2go begins removes machines from stores linked to illicit tobacco trade
A second ATM supplier – whose machines were once used by a cannabis kingpin – has begun pulling out its devices from stores linked to the illicit tobacco trade. The move by Queensland-based atm2go follows an ABC investigation which revealed how ATM companies were fuelling predominantly cash sales of illegal cigarettes by placing their private machines in stores. Rival supplier Next Payments publicly acknowledged the problem late last month and began removing 40 machines it believed were linked to the illicit trade. Major payments processing company EFTEX, which industry sources said handled transactions for atm2go, has vowed to cease handling transactions for tobacco stores from September following media scrutiny. Atm2go refused to discuss the matter when contacted by the ABC. "No comment," one senior member of the company said this week, before hanging up. The ABC had found atm2go machines in a string of stores selling illicit cigarettes — with sales occurring even after some shops in Queensland had been suspended by health authorities for breaching tobacco laws. Court documents also showed atm2go had cut deals to install ATMs with a man charged and later convicted with proceeds of crime and tobacco offences. In another case in Darwin, a man jailed for massive cannabis dealing had atm2go machines that he told an underling to load with drug cash. The ABC this week revisited four south-east Queensland locations that had been selling illegal cigarettes. In the past two months, atm2go machines were found inside but the machines were gone this week from three shops. A sign outside one of the stores in Oxley, on Brisbane's southside, said: "The ATM has been removed. Please use the ATM located inside where Woolies is." People with knowledge of the machines said the removalists had come suddenly. The fourth store in inner Brisbane's West End had a sign plastered across the atm2go machine saying it was not working and implored customers to: "please bring cash next time as the ATM will be out for awhile!" Atm2go was once heavily focused on events and used a franchise system, but industry sources said COVID-19 and ensuing lockdowns had disrupted its model. The company had in recent years been crowing in social media posts about putting machines in stores selling tobacco. Federal Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke's office has asked regulators to examine private ATMs.
