Goldicott House Archives

Brisbane Boys’ College Finalises Purchase Of The Iconic Goldicott House

Brisbane Boys’ College and the Presbyterian Methodist Schools Association (PMSA) have finalised their acquisition of the heritage-listed Goldicott House in Toowong.

Read: What is to Become of Toowong’s Goldicott House?

According to PMSA, the contract of sale for the 1.23ha site adjoining BBC was due to settle on 12 May 2022.

“Together, we are driven by our vision to build caring school communities, by providing world-class teaching and learning environments and create new and exciting educational precincts that inspire our students to be the best version of themselves,” PMSA stated in a media release.

Previous reports indicate that the private school in Toowong is eyeing to extend their boarding house at the site.

Pikos Group, the previous owners of the site, also announced the news on social media.

“We are pleased to announce that Pikos has sold heritage-listed Goldicott House in Toowong to Queensland private school Brisbane Boys’ College. With support from the local community, BBC are planning to retain the 1800s homestead as an education asset,” the Pikos Group has shared on a Facebook post.

The heritage-listed home has been spared from demolition twice, one in 2018 and another one just two years later after the Planning & Environment Court ruled in 2020 that it could not be rezoned and subdivided.

About Goldicott House

65 grove st toowong — Photo credit: QLD Heritage Register

Goldicott House was constructed in 1885 for Brisbane engineer Charles Lambert Depree, who lived there until 1890 before returning to England.

The iconic house is recognised as the first poured concrete slab in a Queensland building. Erecting Goldicott House was a revolutionary innovation in construction at the time.

In 1903, Goldicott House was renamed Mount St Mary’s Convent after the Sisters of Mercy acquired the property.

It was listed in the Queensland Heritage Register in 1998. Goldicott House was purchased by property developers in 2017 before becoming available again recently.

Read: Court Rules No to Goldicott House Rezoning and Development in Toowong

Pikos Group acquired the property a few years ago for $8 million. In March 2022, the group sold it to the Brisbane Boys’ College for $17 million.

What is to Become of Toowong’s Goldicott House?

Photo credit: balmainprivate.com.au

A number of residents in Toowong are concerned about the prospect of having a residential aged care development at the current location of heritage-listed Goldicott House.

Goldicott House already survived a development plan in 2018 when Goldicott House Pty Ltd ATF Goldicott House Trust proposed to subdivide the 2,340-sqm heritage-listed property located at 65 Grove Crescent, Toowong.

Source: Facebook/Toowong’s Heritage – worth fighting for

Finance group Balmain is currently seeking investors for this site. A prospectus released by Balmain reads: “The borrower is considering multiple development strategies which are consistent with planning objectives for the property, including an aged care facility comprising 150 beds and 150 independent living units.”

The document also stated that the borrower has engaged experienced town planners to assist with the planning and development process to transform Goldicott House into a residential aged care development. Balmain, describing the grand house as a ‘mixed-use property with redevelopment potential’ is currently utilised for office purposes.

It’s tagged as a fully invested property, which means it’s fully funded and settled by Balmain or a Balmain managed entity before being offered to investors. The Target Return is 7.45% p.a., net of fees and expenses, and is paid to Investors monthly in arrears.

Despite their subdivision being rejected, the owners are still trying to push forward with the development of a massive…Posted by Toowong’s Heritage – worth fighting for on Wednesday, March 3, 2021

Pikos removed the music room in February 2021, with residents claiming they were only given 12 hours’ notice before the demolition of the music room took place.

Read: BCC Saves Toowong’s Cultural Heritage Building – “Goldicott House”

Brisbane City Council’s City Planning Committee recommended disapproval of the development, after having received a total of 123 submissions from residents. Some of the issues raised by the community are environmental impact and worsening of traffic congestion, including the potential traffic danger to children of the nearby schools.

Pikos’ plan to subdivide the property was eventually rejected in 2018, with Planning Chairman Councillor Matthew Bourke stating that it failed to meet the Council’s strict criteria for a use of a Local Heritage Place.

Read: Court Rules No to Goldicott House Rezoning and Development in Toowong

About Goldicott House

Mount St Mary’s Convent in 1995 (Photo credit: apps.des.qld.gov.au)

It was built in 1885 for Brisbane engineer Charles Lambert Depree. Goldicott House was known as the first residential home to use poured concrete in its construction. Building the house was considered a revolutionary innovation in construction at the time.

Depree resided in the Goldicott House until 1890, before he returned to England. Although his family was not able to come back to Queensland following Depree’s demise in 1893, Goldicott House remained their property until 1902.

The Sisters of Mercy acquired the property in 1903 and renamed it Mount St Mary’s Convent. One of the former bedrooms, located at the northeast corner of the house, was turned into a chapel. In 1998, Goldicott was listed in the Queensland Heritage Register.

Court Rules No to Goldicott House Rezoning and Development in Toowong

Brisbane’s Planning & Environment Court has ruled that the grounds of Goldicott House, located at 65 Grove Crescent in Toowong, cannot be rezoned or subdivided for development.

This has thwarted development plans for the property, in the latest update on a saga that has seen residents and heritage experts voice their protests over the past several years since the property was sold in 2017.

BCC and Residents Objected to Development

In 2019, Brisbane City Council’s City Planning Committee recommended disapproval of the application for subdivision of the 12,340-sqm heritage-listed property.

Photo Credit: QLD Heritage Register Gallery

At the time, City Planning Chairman Councillor Matthew Bourke also cited the developer’s failure to meet the Council’s strict criteria for a use of a Local Heritage Place as the reason for the rejection of the application.

A total of 123 community submissions from locals were considered in the BCC’s decision. “During its assessment, Council considered 123 submissions, including a submission from the National Trust, outlining concerns about heritage implications,” Cr Bourke said.

Residents’ submissions expressed concerns and opposition to the application citing environmental impact and worsening of traffic congestion, including the potential traffic danger to children of the nearby schools.

Concerns were also raised over plans to subdivide the property, with heritage experts calling for the protection of cultural heritage buildings such as Goldicott House.

About Goldicott House

Photo Credit: Screengrab from YouTube/Andrew Degn

Built in 1885 for Brisbane engineer Charles Lambert Depre, Goldicott House was the first residential home to use poured concrete in its construction. Erecting Goldicott House was a revolutionary innovation in construction at the time.

In 1903, Goldicott was renamed Mount St Mary’s Convent after Sisters of Mercy purchased the property. In 1998, Goldicott was listed in the Queensland Heritage Register.

“The concrete construction was innovative and remarkable for its time. The place is significant for its association with engineer Charles Lambert Depree, and his contribution to concrete construction implementation and technology in 19th century Queensland,” the Queensland Heritage Register citation said.