Renovate or detonate? ‘Rare’ Townsville CBD cottage hits market

It is all about location at 273 Stanley Street, Townsville City

---

AN original war era cottage in the heart of the Townsville CBD has hit the market, and this one will really test the whole ‘location, location, location’ adage.

Located at 273 Stanley St, the cottage is a bit worse for wear, with the brick front porch almost non-existent, parts of the gutter have come away, windows are bordered up and the 208sq m block is strewn with fallen branches and twisted foliage.

MORE NEWS: Borat or Zoolander? Qld agent’s ‘daggy’ listing image revealed

Qld rental crisis: ‘Virtually nowhere to go’

Heritage-listed WWII site in Qld hits the market

273 Stanley Street, Townsville City

---

It is being marketed by Ian Clarke of Ian Clarke Real Estate on behalf of the Public Trustee, and will go to auction on December 10.

“Although not the prettiest home in the area, this is more about its prime location,” the listing says, adding that it was a “flip of a coin” as to whether the cottage should be renovated or knocked down.

“The cottage dates back to the WWII era and built in a modest timber framed design with a simple front veranda, entrance into the living area which leads to the eat-in style kitchen area. “The two bedrooms are accessed from the living area.”

It’s a jungle out there

---

There is a bathroom at the rear of the property and a small lean-to veranda at the rear of the home is where you will find the laundry.

A drive-through carport to the side of the home also provides access to the rear garden.

Mr Clarke said there was “not much grand” about the property, but its location in the centre of the city was “quite rare”.

He said the cottage itself was only about 70sq m, but added there was room out the back to “make something nice”.

“It is just a bit of a jungle at the moment,” he said.

Mr Clarke said he did not know much about the owner, but said the cottage sat in the “shadow of Sacred Heart Cathedral”.

”It needs a substantial renovation but there isn’t anything significant about it (the cottage),” he said.

“This one really is about location.”

Mr Clarke said he had fielded a number of inquiries, including several from out-of-town.

“The location is key,” he said. “You can walk to everything.”