A Paddington home that became the subject of a protracted legal dispute between neighbours has changed hands for a suburb record of $12.075 million, bringing closure to a five-year saga that involved court injunctions and allegations of unlawful construction.
The five-bedroom property at 9 Reading Street, known as ‘Skyline’, was at the heart of a neighbourly disagreement that began in 2021 when construction commenced on the steep 810-square-metre block.
According to court documents, technology entrepreneur Steve Baxter, founder of digital signage company Mandoe Media, initiated legal proceedings against the property owners Anthony and Kylie Preston, along with builder Graya, over concerns regarding retaining walls being built next to his neighbouring $8 million home to support a swimming pool and outdoor entertaining area.
In April 2021, an injunction was filed citing safety concerns and allegations that works were being undertaken unlawfully. The Planning and Environment Court ordered a temporary suspension of construction work on the home.
The Prestons subsequently obtained both an exemption certificate and development approval for operational work from Brisbane City Council by July 2021. However, Mr Baxter raised additional allegations, prolonging the legal proceedings.
The court ultimately determined that continuing the application from July onwards was productive of serious and unjustified trouble and harassment, and had the effect of prolonging the trial. Mr Baxter was ordered to pay costs to the Prestons and Graya from 15 July 2021 through to 9 December 2021.
The Prestons had purchased the original property for $3.15 million in 2018 before demolishing the existing structure and embarking on what became one of the suburb’s most ambitious residential projects.
Designed by Brisbane-based Joe Adsett Architects, the completed home showcases a flat, fully integrated floor plan with a 20-metre frontage and commanding views across Brisbane’s CBD. Joe Adsett Architects is a national award-winning studio known for luxury residential architecture and subscribes to a design philosophy of subtropical modernism.
The property includes two separate living areas, an upstairs balcony, and a pilates studio. Each of the five bedrooms features an ensuite bathroom. External amenities include the heated infinity pool and spa that were central to the original dispute, along with an outdoor kitchen, gazebo, and sunken fire pit.
Ray White agents Matt Lancashire and Josh Brown handled the sale, which surpassed the previous Paddington record of $11.8 million set last year for a 653-square-metre property at 45 Garfield Drive.
The sale demonstrates continued strong demand for premium residential property in Paddington, despite the construction project’s contentious beginnings. The suburb, characterised by its hilly terrain and proximity to the Brisbane CBD, has seen increasing interest from buyers seeking luxury homes with city views.
Published 25-February-2026
