The fate of the site of an unfinished mansion in Buderim has been revealed.
It comes as the controversial property, which was once Queensland’s most expensive home with a price tag of $25m in 2008, is being knocked down after sitting uninhabited for 17 years.
The opulent residence boasted nine bedrooms, nine garage spaces and lounge room-size bathrooms, as well as a rumoured million-dollar nuclear bunker.
In 2022, a development application was lodged by Distinctive Estates for the 3-9 Riverview Avenue block, which was approved on November 18 subject to conditions.
Distinctive Estates director Noel Covey declined to comment on the development.
But Jonny Marshall of Ken Guy Buderim – the exclusive marketing team for Distinctive Estates – revealed the original subdivision plans for the site still stood.
Engineering plans showed that once most of the original mansion was demolished, about one-third of the building would be retained.
But Ken Guy Buderim’s Danny Redman confirmed the entire building was now coming down.
Combined with the adjacent 22-24 Coolum View Terrace, it would then be subdivided into six blocks.
Mr Marshall said the team was confident in the new development as Mr Covey had the highest degree of engineering standards.
“Obviously, there’s a high amount of attention to this site and what’s going to happen, so we are happy to give updates when we can,” the managing director said.
“We know that he’s one of the best in the business when it comes to his projects.
“He’s the right person and it’s the right development team to embark on a project like this to unlock the potential of this site.
“He will make sure that everything is done properly and the presentation of it will certainly elevate the values in the area.”
Mr Marshall confirmed the guest cottage was being retained on one of the subdivided plots at the bottom of Coolum View Terrace and that it had just been “nicely” renovated.
With its northeast-facing aspect, he said the team considered the development to be a flagship project for Buderim.
“It will set the tone for future affluent buyers looking to Buderim for their future home,” he said.
“We often see high-profile buyers consider places like Sunshine Beach or Noosa as the destination when they’re looking to buy property on the Sunshine Coast.
“But we see this project potentially coming into their thought process when looking to move to the region … so really putting it on the world stage for that future architectural dream home.”
Mr Marshall said most of the key Buderim positions on the northern escarpment were tightly held and had been for many years.
“Most of those positions either require renovation or redevelopment like this – either knock-downs or rebuilds – because what they offer is the best of the conditions year-round, being north-facing,” he said.
“Our little mountain village will become quite a premium offering in the marketplace as we move forward to the Olympics – and with all the upgrades and population growth that we are seeing in our region.
“If I was a neighbour living in its immediate area, I would be very happy about this this project taking place.”
Local real estate agent and Buderim resident Grant Smith said he, like many others, had been keenly watching the progression of the unfinished dream home.
“Locals have always queried what the future would hold for the property,” he said.
“It’s been such a controversial property for over a decade now, mostly because of the uncertainly surrounding its future.
“I have no doubt it would have been a very impressive and beautiful home, but unfortunately it never saw its true shine.”
He said most local residents were relieved to see progress on the site, rather than watching it continue to stagnate.
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“It’s a tremendously vast property and there was a pool situated in the middle that never got completed, so that’s all cleared and dug out now,” he said.
“For its owner to not see the dream finished is a shame.
“I’m sure that a lot of local residents wouldn’t see it as a shame though.
“The progression and the fact it will no longer be an eyesore moving forward is a definite positive.”
He echoed Mr Marshall, agreeing it was one of the best sites in Buderim, with spectacular northeasterly views that would add value to the location’s streetscape.
“The ability for a few families or people to enjoy that aspect and create their dream homes on a more manageable scale is a positive,” he said.
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