The worst house on one of the most coveted streets in Auchenflower has been transformed into a luxury residence after a mammoth renovation that tested the limits of a local family’s determination and budget.
Anita and Paul Brown purchased the dilapidated property at 112 Annie Street for $1.45 million in 2021, drawn by its prime location despite its shocking condition. The house literally shook when walked through, featured dated pink and green decor, and harboured a backyard overrun with native monsteras sheltering countless huntsman spiders.
Three years and approximately $5 million later, the home now called Aura has been reborn as a three-level residence featuring six bedrooms, four bathrooms, a pool, wine cellar, and a self-contained granny flat. The renovation was completed over 18 months, with the original house raised and relocated on the block.
“It was honestly so dodgy. Back then my husband was a big guy, weighing about 140 kilograms and the whole place shook when he walked through it,” Mrs Brown said.
The couple, who have two young children, saw potential where others saw problems. The property was one of the last unrenovated homes on the street, and its position just three houses from the top made it particularly attractive.
To better understand the property before beginning work, the Browns moved into the rundown house for 12 months, studying how the sun moved across the site and where breezes came through. This informed their decision to install an entire wall of double-glazed glass along the eastern side to maximise the Brisbane city views.
The sloping block presented the biggest technical and financial challenge, with substantial money invested in retaining walls that remain hidden but essential to the home’s structural integrity.
Mr Brown took on the monumental task of clearing the monstera jungle by hand to make way for construction, an effort his wife describes as “the most epic thing ever”. The physical demands of the project saw Mr Brown’s weight drop from 140 kilograms to around 90 kilograms.
The renovation budget blew out significantly due to pandemic-related delays, soaring construction costs, and extensive custom ordering including bespoke windows. Turkish marble was hand-selected by Mr Brown on an overseas trip, adding to the home’s luxury finishes which include rainfall showers and multiple living areas.
To fund the project, the Browns liquidated three other investment properties. Mrs Brown, who bought her first house at 19 in Lismore for $100,000 while still studying, has built a substantial property portfolio over the years through strategic purchases and renovations.
The home is now listed for best offer by 1 November through Place Nundah’s Thomas Coussens and Place Ascot’s Drew Davies. While the agents haven’t disclosed a specific price expectation, the total investment of approximately $6.45 million provides an indication of the property’s value.
Mr Davies said the renovation quality surpasses anything he’s seen in the market, with strong interest from both interstate and local buyers following a pre-sale social media campaign.
Mrs Brown’s property advice, which she plans to pass on to her daughters Olivia, 11, and Penelope, 6, is straightforward: “Buy the biggest block of land you can afford as close the city as possible. It’s all about land banking now.”
Despite the enormous effort invested in creating what she calls “the ultimate family home”, Mrs Brown acknowledges it will be difficult to hand over the keys when the property sells.
Published 12-October-2025
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