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A 1948 built Brisbane tramway substation-turned-New York style warehouse is generating strong interest, with three buyers who missed out on it at auction 11 years ago returning for a second look.
It’s not the only former substation to be given a new lease on life, with several ultra-cool residential conversions currently listed on realestate.com.au.
Set to go under the hammer on 24 February, the heritage-listed five bedroom, three bathroom property at 360 Enoggera Road, Alderley has been converted into a stunning warehouse complete with elements of its former life remaining on display.
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The stunning home was originally designed by architect Frank Costello as a brick tramway substation and built in 1948 for Brisbane’s expanding tram network. Picture: realestate.com.au
Sales agent Roxanne Workman from RE/MAX Ignite Riverhills said the ‘wow factor’ was unmissable upon entry, and the owner’s clever conversion design included leaving certain elements untouched and original.
“It’s got the charm of what it was originally, from the police systems, to the doors to the chains, but also the plans are on the walls of what it was, and then there’s a little section there that has tram tickets to bus tickets, and it’s got smidgens of history all the way through,” she said.
The exterior preserves the building’s history as a tramway substation. Picture: realestate.com.au
The 309sqm warehouse was formerly one of 17 electrical and tramway substations constructed during the 1940s and early 1950s, according to the Brisbane City Council’s heritage citation.
“The symmetrically placed air vents, protruding concrete lintels, large rectangular windows and roller door are characteristic of a number of these buildings’ simple designs, and horizontal and vertical forms,” according to the statement.
The South East Queensland Electricity Board continued to use the building as a power substation after the trams stopped running in 1969.
Now a home built for entertaining, complete with entertainment deck and in-ground pool. Picture: realestate.com.au
Spanning four levels, the residence’s long list of impressive features include soaring 10m high ceilings, automatic glass bi-fold concertina doors, polished terrazzo concrete flooring, a pool and a basement with separate street access.
The alure of converted substations
Buyer’s agent Michelle May said buyers are likely drawn in by the industrial charm of warehouse conversions, like substations, particularly given how rare and unique they are.
Those on the hunt for one should be prepared to cast their net wide, she said.
“There’s only a limited number of substations out there, let alone the ones that have been converted, so you really need to be open to going through to a different area than perhaps you may not have thought you’d end up in, and then you need to take into consideration the length of time it will take to find something like that,” she said.
After being hit by the instant ‘wow factor’ when coming across a substation listed for sale, she said it’s important prospective buyers consider if it will be practical for their lifestyle.
“With the open plan if you are thinking of moving in there with children, for example, how is that going to work in terms of privacy?,” she said.
As is the case with most unique homes, Ms May said the emotional connection felt by buyers may also push up the price.
Substation conversions across Australia
Own a piece of former electrical substation ‘Elektra’
For a cool $2.2 million, this tri-level 1916 built substation that was converted into a townhouse in 2007 could be yours.
Sub-station 79 was built in 1916 and converted in 2007 into an impressive and spacious New York-style residence with 5 townhouses. Picture: realestate.com.au
Located at 2/93 Pittwater Road, North Ryde, sales agent Allister Scott, from BresicWhitney – Inner West, said this substation was unique as the electrical component was never inside unlike others in the area.
“It’s pretty well done,” he said. “It is triple brick, it’s in immaculate condition, and it is still in the condition when it was sold to these guys.”
All the modern comforts blend with exposed beams and warehouse details of yesteryear. Picture: realestate.com.au
The New York style abode features three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a large courtyard, a double height void and exposed beams across 250sqm of living space.
Ultimate blank canvas: Original substations snapped up fast
An original and redundant electricity substation in North Paramatta sold under the hammer late last year for $521,000, around $100,000 over its reserve.
Touted the ultimate blank canvas, the inside of the substation had been completely gutted, making the four-brick walls with no electricity or water a myriad of possibility.
Set on a tiny 132sqm block, the redundant substation on prime land in Sydney’s west was highly sought after. Picture: realestate.com.au
Spanning a land size of about 132sqm, sales agent David Matkovic from LJ Hooker Granville, Guildford and Merrylands said he was unsure what the buyer’s plans for the building were as it still remained untouched.
The former substation had been completely gutted. Picture: realestate.com.au
It was the second redundant substation which Mr Matkovic has sold for Endeavour Energy, with 39 Maubeuge Street, Granville selling for $360,000 in November 2022.
He said following the auctions he received many phone calls from people wanting to hear from him if anything else of their kind came up for sale again.
Architecturally designed marvel
A private rooftop with a plunge pool/spa was among the standout features of this 1930 substation warehouse conversion, which sold for $3,210,000 earlier this month.
The historic 1930s substation has been completely transformed for inner-city living. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold
“This is quite an unconventional space that has been architecturally designed to have its own unique personality and that’s what the buyers love,” Maclay Longhurst from Sydney Sotheby’s International Realty Double Bay said.
The award-winning conversion has a single lock-up garage, rooftop plunge pool and soaring 4.5m ceilings. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold
The listing described the three bedroom, two bathroom residence as an “exceptional dwelling seamlessly harmonizes the echoes of the past with the grace of contemporary elegance.”
The modern kitchen blends seamlessly with the substation’s concrete ceilings and exposed beams. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold
Mr Longhurst said converted warehouses of this kind were tightly held.
“Typically when people buy them, they don’t they don’t often on sell them because they are quite rare commodities,” he said.
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