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35 Duke St Bulimba goes under the hammer Saturday May 11 at 9:30am.

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The romance of a bygone era beckons in this beautifully renovated Bulimba Queenslander set within a private tropical oasis.

Positioned behind a white picket fence at 35 Duke St, the home spans two levels and features five bedrooms, formal and informal living areas, a gym with reinforced floor, and wraparound verandas overlooking a rainforest garden and pool with spa.

35 Duke St Bulimba has been the family home of the sellers for over three decades.

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For owners Lyndell and Bruce Redpath, the residence has been their prized family home for over three decades after they fell in love with the property’s position and raw potential back in 1992.

At that stage it was a basic highset cottage on a 1012sq m block, but the couple reimagined it with an extensive renovation.

“We had this opportunity to buy in Bulimba in one of the best streets,” Mrs Redpath said.

“It was on a big block and there was so much potential to renovate it into a gorgeous Queenslander in keeping with the other beautiful homes on the street.”

The mammoth renovation involved raising the home and building in underneath.

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Working with an architect, the couple embarked on a mammoth renovation that involved raising the home, building in beneath and further expanding its footprint via vast wraparound verandas.

“We didn’t set out to create an authentic Queenslander, Mr Redpath said.

“Instead, we wanted to make a family home and have it look original, where it was modern and comfortable inside but retained its character feel.”

The renovation has ensured the decks and verandas are integral to the home.

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The result is an immaculately made over and maintained home with a colonial influence.

Period features such as bay windows and detailed fretwork abound, while a 3.5m wide lower storey veranda adds a sense of grandeur and comes complete with custom designed curved rafters.

“The decks and verandas are an integral part of the house, offering covered entertaining areas that connect with the indoors,” Mrs Redpath said.

“You can accommodate more than 50 people on the rear deck and we’ve hosted fabulous parties for family and friends, including anniversaries and birthdays.”

Indoor outdoor flow adds to the home’s appeal.

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With four of the five bedrooms on the upper level and the living areas located on the ground floor, the home features both formal and informal spaces along with over height ceilings.

“It has this really nice feel when you walk down the central hallway and it opens up to the family room and kitchen and dining area with the verandas then gardens beyond,” Mrs Redpath said.

The kitchen is light and airy.

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Capping off the home’s resort-style feel is a rainforest garden that the Redpaths created from scratch.

“It was something we started when we added the pool and spa, before the renovation,” Mrs Redpath said.

“It took a while to establish and it’s chopped and changed over the years, but now it’s low maintenance and we have this private back garden where you look out onto magnificent trees and greenery.

“It feels like you’re living in a rainforest but you’re only 8kms from the city.”

Classic colours and features across the home.

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That city proximity is evident from the second storey where the upper veranda takes in views across the greenery to the CBD skyline and Hamilton Hill.

The property is listed with Ray White Bulimba.

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Since the completion of the major renovation, the property has also been meticulously maintained and updated, with the bathrooms and kitchen upgraded only five years ago.

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The home has five bedrooms.

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But after three decades enjoying their family home, the Redpaths are now looking to downsize, and conceded leaving their hilltop Bulimba home was bittersweet.

“We’re really proud of what we’ve done,” Mrs Redpath said.

“We’ve been faithful to the idea and the character of the street.

“It’s a total transformation from the original house but we’re pleased to have continued its legacy.”

The property is listed with Ray White Bulimba and is set to go to auction at 9.30am on May 11.

35 Duke St covers a 1,012sq m block.

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