Lamb House, Kangaroo Point facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lamb House |
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Lamb House, from lower on the Kangaroo Point Cliffs
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| Location | 9 Leopard Street, Kangaroo Point, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1900 - 1914 (early 20th century) |
| Built | c. 1902 - c. 1908 |
| Built for | John Lamb |
| Architect | Alexander Brown Wilson |
| Official name: Home, Lamb House | |
| Type | state heritage (built, landscape) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600242 |
| Significant period | 1900s (fabric, historical) |
| Significant components | fence/wall - perimeter, views from, trees/plantings, residential accommodation - main house, garden/grounds, views to, tower - observation/lookout, gate - entrance |
| Builders | W Anthony |
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Lamb House is a grand old house found at 9 Leopard Street in Kangaroo Point, Queensland, Australia. It's a special building because it's listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, which means it's protected for its historical importance. The house was designed by a famous architect named Alexander Brown Wilson and was built between 1902 and 1908.
The Story of Lamb House
This large, two-story brick house was built around 1901. It was made for John Lamb, who was a co-owner of a very successful clothing store called Edwards & Lamb in Queen Street. John Lamb was known for being a fair and modern businessman.
A well-known Brisbane architect, Alexander Brown Wilson, designed the house. A builder named W Anthony constructed it. The building took about a year to finish and cost £3,250, which was a lot of money back then!
Kangaroo Point's Early Days
Kangaroo Point is one of Brisbane's oldest suburbs, dating back to the 1840s. From the 1860s onwards, the higher parts of Kangaroo Point became popular. Many well-off families built large homes there, enjoying views of the Brisbane River.
Building Lamb House in the early 1900s showed that this quiet, central area was still a great place for families. This trend of people wanting to live here continued into the 1920s.
What's Happening Now
The Lamb family has owned the house for a very long time. However, since December 2020, the building has been empty for several years. It has fallen into disrepair and needs a lot of work. The Brisbane City Council announced plans to sell the property. This is to get back money from unpaid property taxes. The land itself is worth a lot of money, around AUD 6.1 million.
What Lamb House Looks Like
Lamb House is a big, two-story house made of red bricks. It has a roof with many gables, covered in terracotta tiles. It stands out on top of the Kangaroo Point Cliffs. From here, it looks over the Brisbane River and the areas of South Brisbane and Town.
A Landmark Building
The house is a famous landmark in the city. You can easily see it from many parts of the Brisbane central business district, the river, and even from the Captain Cook Bridge and the Pacific Motorway.
Architectural Style and Details
The house shows influences from the Queen Anne architectural style. You can see this in the wooden and roughcast designs on the gables. There are also fancy cement decorations on the entrance porch, which doubles as an observation tower. The chimneys are also very detailed, with tall terracotta pots.
Verandahs (porches) wrap around three sides of the house on both levels. They have wooden posts, arches, and decorative wooden strips called friezes.
Inside the House
The original plans show that the ground floor had a main entrance area and a staircase. There were also rooms for dining, drawing, and morning activities. The kitchen and other service areas were also on this floor. Upstairs, on the first floor, there were six bedrooms and a bathroom.
Gardens and Gates
The house sits on large grounds with old trees and gardens. The Wrought iron gates at the entrance and the decorative stone fence along Leopard Street are still the original ones.
From the outside, the building looks very much like it did when it was built. It's a great example of Federation architecture from that time. It has a beautiful setting by the river with lovely gardens.
Why Lamb House is Important
Lamb House was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992. This means it meets certain important standards.
Showing Queensland's History
The building of Lamb House helps us understand how Kangaroo Point grew as a suburb from the 1840s. It shows that the high land overlooking the Brisbane River was always popular for middle-class families. This helps us learn about how different social groups lived in Brisbane and how the river played a role in this.
A Rare Example
Lamb House, built around 1902, is a rare and special example. It's one of the few grand, complete houses from the Federation period still standing in the Brisbane area.
Great Architectural Design
Lamb House is a very well-designed building. Its architecture, the materials used, the quality of the work, and its setting are all excellent. It's also a major example of the homes designed by the famous Brisbane architect Alexander B Wilson.
Beautiful to Look At
Because of its prominent location, Lamb House is a landmark. It adds a lot of beauty to the view along the Kangaroo Point cliffs. The amazing views from Lamb House of the Brisbane River and the city center were likely a big reason why the house was built and designed the way it was.
Connected to Important People
Lamb House is a very well-designed building in its architecture, materials, and setting. It is important because it is a major example of the work of a notable Brisbane architect, Alexander B Wilson.
