Grand Scale Restoration Transforms Entire Street

Moving and renovating one Queenslander is challenging, so imagine what’s involved in restoring eight. And imagine them all in the one street.

It was the brainchild of Leigh Hutton, her husband Kirk and parents Donna and Gordon which came about when they found 13 blocks of land for sale at Dayboro.

The Heritage Lane Homes project was born, with the first house finished mid last year.

“We bought the lots in stages and have sold most of the homes as completed house and land packages,” Leigh explains.

“We are trying to purchase more off the developer and are working hard to be able to do so, but we are very proud of the homes that we have been able to do to this point.”

Leigh says there’s been a great response to the project in the market, and people are excited about being able to buy a renovated Queenslander in Dayboro.

One such happy customer is Lisa Sandel - who, with her husband Paul, had been living in the stunning Lady Milton for three weeks when she spoke to Moreton Life.

The former Brisbanites were regular visitors to the area and when they became empty nesters late last year, started to consider their options. They saw what was happening in Dayboro’s Heritage Cres and called Leigh.

“It’s an escape to the country,” Lisa explains. “We always wanted to have a Queenslander... the gracefulness, beautiful fittings...they’re so unique. I absolutely love the uniqueness of them, every one is different.

“I love history and making something old new again.”

Lisa says they looked at the vacant block of land, then visited David Wright House Removers at Burpengary to see two houses.

They saw past her neglected state and decided the home called Lady Milton was perfect for them.

Lisa says they were very involved in the restoration and were keen to keep the features that created character, while upstyling with modern touches.

The end result was everything they hoped for and more. “We just keep pinching ourselves and thinking is this real?” she says.

“We’ve worked hard all our lives and took a leap of faith and we’re more than happy.”

Leigh and Lisa agree every home has a story to tell and they are passionate about preserving those stories for future generations.

“A Queenslander is so special to live in, it has an energy and a spirit of its own and loves you right back; that has been my experience anyway,” Leigh says.

“They are true pieces of real craftsmanship and are worth saving and preserving.”

And it seems buyers agree with two properties setting residential sales records for Dayboro, fetching $620,000.

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