Birkdale House was listed as number 40 in Queensland’s top 50 homes, but it remains a hidden secret.
The heritage-listed home shoots from a four-room hub with further additional rooms added and another house co-joined at various stages.
There is a galley kitchen, one end of which is believed to have once been a walk-in pantry.
The house, while typical of its era, is considered to be a humble space, despite it accommodating some notable families of the day.
Current owner Warryn James said he liked the fireplaces and, on entering the attic, it was possible to see untouched the bricks built by the convicts of St Helena Island.
“The house can be quite cold in winter, so we are thankful for the working fireplaces,” he said.
He and his wife have brought the house back to “a blank canvas” since purchasing it, but otherwise have done very little to the house that has been well maintained and well loved.
Mr James said at one point, its history was researched by Mary Howells as part of a Cultural Heritage report.
“We believe it may have occurred because some neighbours thought it was to be pulled down, when in fact, it was being re-stumped,” he said.
“Either way, we are happy to have it (the history).”
First owned by engineer James Baron, it was then rented to Redland Chairman and later Mayor of Dalby, Victor Drury.
On the death of Baron, the house was sold to John and Mary Tomkinson and believed to have been used by officers in charge of troops camped at Thorneside.
It fell into disrepair and was refurbished by new owners Peter Airey (1921-1951). Airey was a member of the Queensland Parliament from 1901 to 1909, Home Secretary in 1904 and was also a Redland Councillor (1924 to 1927).
As a member of the Board of Investigation into the agricultural industry, he helped establish award wages for farm workers.
The Airey’s grew mangoes, custard apples, passionfruit, strawberries, peas, pineapples and rosellas. On his death (1950), the house became the property of the Queensland Trustees. It was transferred to Honour Richards in 1962 and to John and Ruby Smith in 1967.
The Smiths again restored the building and also purchased the adjoining subdivision (part of the original plot) in 1974 and amalgamated this to its current 2213 square metres.
Its most recent owner was interior designer Anna Spiro.
“The house has had such an impact on all who have been lucky enough to live here. The magic of living in this magnificent home is something we will treasure for the rest of our lives,” Anna wrote in a parting letter to the James family.
