In 2021, businessman Steve Wilson and his wife bought a derelict Brisbane mansion for A$ 12.75 million; after spending about A$ 15 million, they restored its collapsed roof and grand rooms

For years, the red brick mansion on the Kangaroo Point cliffs was the sort of place Brisbane residents pointed to with a sigh. The roof had caved in, the walls were covered with graffiti and the landmark with sweeping river views was slowly falling apart. In 2021, one couple decided it would not end that way.How Lamb House fell into ruinLamb House, originally named “Home,” stands at 9 Leopard Street, Kangaroo Point, Brisbane. Designed by architect A.B. Wilson for John Lamb, the two-storey residence was built in 1902-03, according to Brisbane City Council’s heritage trail. Joy Lamb left the house in 2015 after parts of the roof collapsed and squatters later occupied the empty building and vandalised some of the original interior, RealCommercial reported. According to Real Estate Source, Brisbane City Council moved to sell the house to recover roughly A$300,000 in unpaid rates and went on the market in 2021.The couple who beat the developersSteve Wilson, businessman and chairman of Racing Queensland and his wife Jane purchased the 3,146-square-meter property in 2021 for A12.75 million, ABC News reported. It also stated that Steve and Jane outbid several competitors, including international offers and Brisbane developer Kevin Seymour. Heritage consultant Ben Gallet told ABC News that about $A15 million seemed a reasonable budget for a full renovation, while ABC Radio Brisbane reported that the land alone had been valued at more than A$6 million in 2019. But the final bill was far higher. When the Restoration Australia host Anthony Burke asked whether they had spent close to A$20 million, Wilson said it was not quite that much, Mediaweek reported.Construction started at what Wilson termed as the “save it” stage. The house was likened to a massive thunderstorm that could fall apart at any moment, its roof having collapsed. ABC Radio Brisbane also detailed the materials used in the renovation. Existing timber that could be salvaged was left in place, while other damaged parts were replaced with red cedar. Queensland hoop pine was used elsewhere in the house.Room and details rebuiltAccording to ABC News, the restored home has six bedrooms, a grand timber staircase, drawing rooms and morning rooms. AH Specialists also restored the rooms once used by maids and butlers. Vandals and thieves had stolen many of the historical elements, so craftsmen had to recreate the missing pieces.Stained glass specialists Gerry Cummins and Jill Stehn restored the laylight at the entrance over the impressive staircase. Little from the original laylight remained and the newly made one measures about two meters across and contains around one thousand pieces of glass, ABC News reported. Heritage plasterer Scott McMillan crafted the ceiling roses and molded cornices.A restorer’s second heritage projectThe Wilsons were already familiar with A.B. Wilson’s work. For roughly three decades, they had been working on Kinauld, an 1888 home designed by the same architect, ABC News reported. They also restored the house’s original name in place of the Lamb surname it carried for generations. Brisbane Open House has featured Lamb House in its private property tours, highlighting the residence’s architectural and historical significance. Brisbane Open House names Steve Wilson AM and Dr Jane Wilson AO as the owners who bought the property and oversaw its restoration. When the sale was announced, Elizabeth Handley, president of the community group Brisbane Residents United, said it would be “absolute magic” to see the house restored. The Wilsons planned from the start to make the house their family home. Given that the house was left to rot amid disputes over its rates and heritage protection, this feels like a fitting ending for the property.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.