One of West End’s few remaining untouched Queenslanders has changed hands for $2.5 million after a competitive auction that drew over 100 onlookers and 15 registered bidders.
Read: West End Apartment Smashes Price Expectations in Strong Brisbane Auction Week
The three-bedroom, one-bathroom home at 22 Sussex Street had been held by the same family since the 1950s. After decades of accumulation, it took six months to clear out belongings and prepare the property for sale, with only essential updates made to meet compliance standards.
Despite its age and the need for extensive renovations, the home’s elevated position, city views, and generous 536-square-metre flood-free block made it a highly sought-after offering.
Its appeal was further heightened by its location within the prized Brisbane State High School catchment—a key factor for many buyers eyeing the tightly held suburb. Most blocks in West End range between 250 and 300 square metres and offer limited or no off-street parking, giving this property a distinct edge in size, liveability, and future potential.
Bidding began at $1.6 million and escalated rapidly, narrowing down to a battle between two determined buyers who drove the final price up in large increments. The winning bidders, West End locals, had long been searching for a classic Queenslander to restore and make their own.
Whilst the home remains largely original, a high-end renovation could cost up to $1.5 million, but the investment is unlikely to deter buyers in one of Brisbane’s most tightly held and character-rich suburbs.
The sale stands out as a rare example of an unrenovated Queenslander still standing in inner-city West End—a suburb where gentrification and redevelopment have steadily reduced the number of original homes. Its result reflects the enduring appeal of character housing in premium inner-Brisbane locations, especially those offering land size, elevation, and strong school zoning.
Read: Luxury Property Developer Deepens West End Presence with Second Mega Site Acquisition
The auction was part of a broader weekend of activity across Brisbane, with 144 properties scheduled to go under the hammer. Preliminary figures showed a clearance rate of 44 per cent from reported results, highlighting the selective but still strong interest in unique, high-potential properties.
Published 6-June-2025
