Lamb House is one very interesting residence! And it is uncommon to find such architecture in Brisbane still intact.
Lamb House needs restoration.
A heritage-listed villa, Lamb House is situated at 9 Leopard Street, Kangaroo Point, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Alexander Brown Wilson and built from c.1902 to c.1908. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992 and has been languishing unattended ever since.
Brisbane City Council is proposing amendments to some of its citywide provisions in Brisbane City Plan 2014 (City Plan) and submissions are now open for Major amendment package K – Lamb House. Council has opened consultation for Lamb House character protection.
Queensland Heritage Register states that “Lamb House, erected c.1902, is a rare surviving example of a grand, intact Federation period residence in the Brisbane district” and this Wikipedia entry practically screams Period Drama—
“Lamb House is a large, two-storeyed, red brick residence with a multi-gabled roof clad in terracotta tiles. Conspicuously situated above the Kangaroo Point Cliffs at the southern end of the suburb, overlooking the South Brisbane and Town reaches of the Brisbane River…”
“Queen Anne influences are evident in the timber and roughcast gable infill designs, the ornate cement mouldings to the entrance portico-cum-observation tower, and the elaborate chimney stacks and tall terracotta chimney pots.”
“The original plans indicate vestibule and stairwell, dining, drawing and morning rooms, kitchen and service areas on the ground floor, and six bedrooms and a bathroom on the first floor.” Plus “The residence has substantial grounds with mature trees and gardens.”
The proposed changes to Lamb House (situated on Leopard and Wild Streets, Kangaroo Point with a stunning view of the Brisbane River, city botanical gardens and CBD) support Council’s commitment to protect the unique character of Brisbane, considering the property’s local landmark identity, and the character and streetscape values of the area.
These proposed changes include:
-
- Zoning changes to lots held by Lamb House to become Character residential (Character zone precinct)
- Updates to overlay maps to apply the Traditional building character overlay.
- Adding the Significant Landscape tree overlay to the weeping figs on the lots on Leopard Street, Kangaroo Point.
Please consider making a submission because community input is vital for informing major amendments to City Plan; and Brisbane City Council is now seeking feedback on the proposed changes. You can HAVE YOUR SAY and submissions must be received by 11.59pm on Sunday 13 December 2020.
Residents can talk to a Council planner to ask questions or seek clarification on the proposed changes. Register for a free Talk to a Planner session from 23 to 25 November 2020 at these locations:
For more information visit the Brisbane City Council website, email the project team, telephone Council on 07 3403 8888 or write to Strategic Planning.
Lamb House, built in 1902 for Queen Street draper John Lamb (one half of Edwards & Lamb Emporium specialising in Drapery, Millinery, etc) is still owned by the Lamb family, Joy Lamb. Heritage-listed Lamb House and surrounding gardens are well worth preserving in my opinion. It might make up for the destructive Joh Bjelke-Petersen era and the wrought iron lace which disappeared during the midnight demolition of the landmark Bellevue Hotel in 1979, and give Brisbane a proper past for the future to appreciate.
Journalist Tony Moore wrote an interesting Opinion Piece with some eye-opening photographs:
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/lamb-house-is-a-mess-but-it-could-be-a-brisbane-tourism-highlight-20200605-p5500x.html
Addendum:
Outstanding info with house and grounds images ‘Save Lamb House’ Jon Ruwolt, August 2020
https://www.federation-house.com/post/save-lamb-house
More colour images from © 2009 the foto fanatic
http://www.yourbrisbanepastandpresent.com/2009/04/lamb-house.html
If you are interested in Queensland history, visit Thom Blake Historian website
https://thomblake.com.au/index.php
Rose O’Brien takes a personal look at Queensland’s past and present
Queensland Stories https://roseobrienwriter.blog/
DEAR READER,
IF HISTORICALLY INCLINED, PLEASE CONTACT BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL.
I ADORE OLD HERITAGE LISTED BUILDINGS – THEY MUST BE PRESERVED.
BUT I HAVE NO CONNECTION WITH DECISIONS REGARDING LAMB HOUSE.
I WATCH FUTURE EVENTS WITH INTEREST,
AND SINCERELY HOPE THIS UNIQUE OLD HOME CAN BE REVIVED.
GBW 2020.
Thoughts Become Words 
You must be logged in to post a comment.