Brisbane Couple List Heritage Home After Losing High-Rise Battle

Brisbane Couple Abandon Dream Home Amidst Contentious Development Battle

A protracted dispute over a luxury high-rise development has led a Brisbane couple to list their heritage home for sale, marking a defeat in a battle against encroaching urban density. Barrister Daniel Clarry and his wife, Sarah, a Rio Tinto executive, have put their Spanish Mission-style property on Maxwell Street, New Farm, on the market, two years after losing a legal challenge to plans for a nine-story apartment building next door.

The couple’s decision to sell comes after a multi-year effort to halt the construction of “Arcilla,” a development spearheaded by celebrity architect Joe Adsett and developer Craig Purdy. The Clarrys purchased the 1937-built home in 2020 for $3.7 million, hoping to enjoy the tranquility of one of Brisbane’s most exclusive streets. However, their vision was challenged when plans emerged for a significantly larger building on the adjacent lot.

The core of the dispute centered on the scale of the proposed development. The Clarrys argued that Arcilla, which will be 4.7 meters taller than the previous structure on the site, was disproportionate to the neighborhood’s character and would overwhelm the surrounding properties. They took their case to the state’s highest court in 2023, but ultimately failed to overturn the Brisbane City Council’s approval of the project.

Construction on Arcilla is slated to begin next week, following the demolition of a four-story apartment block that previously occupied the site. The new development will feature nine units, including six three-bedroom apartments, two four-bedroom apartments and a penthouse. Amenities will include basement parking, a gym, a lounge, and a swimming pool.

Despite the legal setback, the developers report strong initial interest in Arcilla, with three apartments already sold off-plan to local buyers. These sales reportedly achieved a record square metre rate of $35,000, indicating a robust demand for luxury properties in the area. Remaining units are priced starting at $5.35 million, with the penthouse still available.

The situation highlights a growing tension in established Brisbane suburbs as developers seek to capitalize on demand for high-density living. Maxwell Street, known for its affluent residents – including former Macquarie Bank executive Martin Dacron, ophthalmologist Mark Donaldson, and property heiress Lynne Pask – is becoming a focal point in this trend. The Clarrys’ experience underscores the challenges faced by homeowners seeking to preserve the character of their neighborhoods in the face of rapid development.

Matt Lancashire of Ray White Collective is handling the sale of the Clarrys’ property, with expressions of interest closing on March 20. The home boasts four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a 787 sqm block, and views of the city and river. The outcome of the sale will likely be closely watched as a barometer of the market’s appetite for heritage properties in areas undergoing significant urban transformation.

This case is not isolated. Recent sales, such as a home at the center of a five-year neighborly legal row selling for a record $12 million, demonstrate the high stakes involved in property disputes in Brisbane’s premium suburbs. The Clarrys’ decision to sell represents a significant concession, signaling the increasing difficulty of resisting large-scale developments in desirable locations.