69 Ellenborough Street, Ipswich, Qld 4305

High upon historic Denmark Hill, where the city unfolds beneath you and the distant Brisbane skyline appears on the horizon, stands a landmark, stately and breathtaking residence that has occupied an extraordinary 2393m2 parcel of Ipswich's most prized land for more than a century.

Built in 1914, this magnificent Federation Arts and Crafts inspired residence is not merely a beautiful and stunning home overlooking Ipswich. It is a landmark — an imposing architectural statement, a piece of living history and one of the city's most amazing, talked about and distinctive residences, so close to the family friendly Denmark Hill Conservation Reserve.
For more than 110 years, Bowerbank has stood proudly above the city, its towering presence softened by elegant leadlight windows, terraced gardens, mature greenery and the gentle movement of its working fountains with historic terracotta figures.
It is from this elevated position that generations have watched Ipswich change below, while this remarkable, masterful and grand home has remained a constant.

Designed by celebrated Ipswich architect George Brockwell Gill for William Fox, known to the Ipswich community as "Fox the Chemist" and his wife Florence Fox, Bowerbank was created in an era when homes were built not merely to be occupied, but to endure.

William Fox was a man of considerable standing in the community and as such sought the expertise of Brockwell Gill to design a home that would showcase not only his own personal achievements as Ipswich's largest pharmacist but also Ipswich, as a place of wealth, grandeur and intrigue.

The name Bowerbank was based on the maiden name of Mrs Fox, who was the daughter of Former Ipswich Mayor Maurice Bowers and the property’s Iconic "Fox" statues have sat proudly upon its gate posts for over 100 years pay homage to William and Florence’s last name.

It is awe-inspiring entering a property that has carried its original identity through more than a century of change.
Buyers who appreciate fine antiques or antique styled and period furnishings are about to feel their heart race as Bowerbank is being offered for sale fully furnished, with many exquisite pieces.

The pressed metal ceilings that feature throughout much of Bowerbank, rich timberwork, lead light windows, fixed leadlight panels and ornamental sandblasted mirror panels all speak of a level of craftsmanship and grandeur that feels increasingly unimaginable today.

Yet Bowerbank is not a museum, it is a stunning family residence that has evolved with the times while retaining the architectural soul that makes it so irreplaceable.

Across its multiple levels, the home reveals an extraordinary collection of grand yet functional rooms and living spaces.
Showcasing three distinctive and large bedrooms with high pressed ornate metal ceilings, a dedicated home office with external access, a formal lounge room with bay window, a stately dining room, a Library, a ballroom and a huge function room with catering facilities on its lower level, this charming home will excite and intrigue at every turn.

The dramatic ballroom boasting 3.7m ceilings, with a fascinating Pianola, is perhaps one of Bowerbank's most unexpected treasures whilst being one of its most iconic external design features.

Grand in scale and elegant in character, it possesses the sort of theatricality rarely encountered in a private residence. It is a room made for celebration, for entertaining, for long lunches and memorable evenings — a truly spectacular space to admire the calming easterly breezes and panoramic views this hilltop vantage provides.

The more formal rooms and areas of the home carry a different kind of remarkable elegance.
Here soaring ceilings & expansive timber archways successfully create an atmosphere of distinction and permanence. This home also features some of the most intricate and impressive pressed metal ceilings of the era including, in the formal lounge, a depiction of the Four Seasons.

The updated kitchen of the home and large walk-in pantry introduce a contemporary note, bringing modern practicality into a home otherwise rich with historic character. It is an elegant juxtaposition of old and new — thoughtful rather than contrived.
Internal stairs lead to the lower level of the of the residence where you will discover a substantial function room, in the past accommodating 100 seated guests for fundraisers and family functions with ease.
This large space offers catering facilities and bathroom facilities and provides a versatile area that could potentially be transformed into a highly desirable dual-living arrangement.

With room for a self- contained styled living arrangement if required for the extended family or adult children the lower level of the home could possibly become an entirely separate living zone or private residence within the residence.
As you make your way to the exterior of the home the Bowerbank experience becomes even more extraordinary.
The terraced gardens follow the natural contours of Denmark Hill, creating layers of greenery, privacy and visual drama. It is a garden with presence — beautifully established, wonderfully secluded and utterly fitting for a home of this stature. The bird life is abundant given the proximity to the Denmark Hill Conservation Reserve, which is an amazing and fascinating habitat for a diverse range of native flora and fauna.

Woven through the gardens are the historic working fountains of Bowerbank, and an abundance of antique urns and statuettes which grace the beautiful courtyard and terraces. Another talking point is the "Hot House", which was originally built for Mr and Mrs Fox's son so that he could nurture and attend to his award-winning orchid collection.
Climb higher still and Bowerbank offers perhaps its most breathtaking reward — its own personal turreted lookout and large flag pole both located on the highest point of this expansive block.

From here Ipswich stretches out beneath you, the landscape continuing into the distance, with Brisbane City and Mount Coo-tha revealing themselves beyond. It is a remarkable panorama and a constant reminder of just how exceptional this elevated position truly is.

Some functional features of this property include a four bay car carport with lift access to the first floor, solar panels, two large underground water tanks, workshops and storage sheds, security both internally and externally and the added bonus of two-street access and frontage stretching from Ellenborough Street through to Murphy Street.

Buyers looking for a home offering walking distance to Ipswich Boys' Grammar School, St Edmund's College and St Mary's College will love Bowerbank whilst professionals working within the Ipswich CBD or at the Ipswich General or St Andrews Private Hospitals will enjoy a 2 minute commute.

This outstanding property and its prime location allows the next custodian to enjoy the extraordinary privilege of living within an iconic piece of Ipswich history without feeling disconnected from Brisbane and all it has to offer.
But perhaps the greatest aspect about the much admired Bowerbank is that its significance cannot be measured by its accommodation alone. Its real value lies in what cannot be replicated. This is an exciting and unique opportunity to own an unparalleled piece of history.

Inspections of Bowerbank are strictly by “Invitation” only. To register your interest in owning glorious and iconic Bowerbank please contact the Marketing agents Glenn Ball and Liesa Gifford.



DISCLAIMER: All reasonable steps to ensure that the information contained in this advertisement is true and correct but accept no responsibility and disclaim all liability in respect to any errors, omissions, inaccuracies or misstatements contained. All distances, measurements and timeframes contained within this advertisement are approximate only. Prospective purchasers should make their own enquiries to verify the information contained in this advertisement.

This property is being sold by auction or without a price and therefore a price guide cannot be provided. The website may have filtered the property into a price bracket for website functionality purposes.

Type

House

Bedrooms

3

Bathrooms

2

Parkings

4

Area

2,393 m²