The $2.5 million reno that transformed one of Hamilton’s worst houses into a showstopper

It’s hard to believe it’s even the same house.

Up until three years ago, 7 Langside Road, Hamilton sat perched on a hill in Brisbane’s original old money suburb as an uncomfortable reminder of 1970s brick architecture. Clearly out of place amid the grand multimillion-dollar estates Hamilton is renowned for, its rippled orange brick, brown tiled roof and bronze anodised windows facade was no regulation prestige beauty.

Yet today it stands as an incredible five-storey masterpiece well worthy of its hilltop position, with sweeping Brisbane River views; a resort-style executive home rivalling any of the best luxury contemporary homes in Hamilton.

More than $2.5 million was spent transforming the home and it’s now virtually unrecognisable from its former state as one of Hamilton’s most unattractive houses, selling agent Dwight Ferguson of Ray White Ascot said.

“It’s absolutely incredible what’s been done here. Structurally it was always a really solid home but it was obviously very dated,” he said. “It’s unbelievable what’s been done with it, there has literally been no expense spared. It’s a completely new house.”

The once-rabbit warren of rooms spread across four levels were knocked through to create oversized living spaces that now make the most of the river and Hamilton hill views.

But the literal cherry on top would have to be the new rooftop terrace: a glamorous, jaw-dropping space that was engineered to sit on top of the existing 1970s roof. It features a swimming pool, lounging deck, dining area, TV, wet bar and sweeping vistas across the Brisbane River.

Serviced by a five-person lift, the home is a lesson in understated luxury and relaxed, practical living spaces. Moreover, it’s been designed with an intuitive use of glass which maximises the outlook across the river, while also retaining its privacy and peacefulness.

Owner Jamie McLennan, a former locations and screen set specialist for major films like Crocodile Dundee, was the brains behind the vision, seeing what no one else could when the uninspiring house went up for sale three years ago.

“I sort of climbed up on to the roof and thought, ‘yeah, it gets good river views, we should build a rooftop deck on top of the house’. And that was it,” he said.

“It sort of evolved from there and it has been a bit of a labour of love. Actually, I’m not sure love is the right word,” he laughed.

The challenge was in the structure of the house itself which, while incredibly solid, made for backbreaking demolition work.

“Everything with this house is challenging when you’re dealing with 45-year-old cavity brick,” he laughed. “The whole house was built like a fortress. Everything you did had to be cut out. We took 350 tonnes out of it, by hand, in buckets. That was the only way we could get it out.”

Despite his modesty, Mr McLennan is renowned for his high-end renovations in some of Brisbane’s best suburbs. He said he never chooses a renovation based on the house, but on the location.

“I spent 15 years in the studios in films and [the way] we always went about doing things was never let design stand in the way of your imagination,” he said.

“I always lean towards best street locations, best suburbs and the best position,  rather than a type of house.”

Amazingly, the rooftop pool, now such jaw-dropping feature, was an afterthought.

“The rooftop pool wasn’t in the plan to begin with,” Mr McLennan said. “But we altered the plans to put it on because we felt when the house got to a certain stage it deserved a rooftop pool.

“Then we went to the next phase after that and thought this house could be really special if we don’t hold back.”

So he didn’t hold back. Mr McLennan wanted more car space, so he bought some extra land from the government which enabled the property to have seven car parks.

The lower floor not only has a gym, extra-large steam room with shower and a kitchenette but it also has a 42-step stair run. Lined with fitspo silhouettes, Mr McLennan said he wanted to inspire the new owners to use and appreciate the property’s hilltop position.

Other notable features include a 400-plus bottle wine room, adjacent dine-in cellar/tasting room, five luxurious bedrooms, master suite with direct lift access, separate study, media room and coffered ceilings throughout.

Marketed by Dwight Ferguson and Alexander Shean of Ray White Ascot, 7 Langside Street, Hamilton, is due to go to auction on site on Sunday, April 28, at 10am.