First of many Redcliffe apartment blocks to come

Apartments are a feature of the Peninsula skyline today, but in 1966 there was plenty of interest in Redcliffe’s first block of home units.

The building, named Oxley Lodge, was built at the corner of Steven Street and Prince Edward Pde, creating 10 ‘luxury home units’.

It was designed by Corbett, Ryan and Walsh of Redcliffe on behalf of Kevanne Pty Ltd and built by W.H Stokes and Sons Pty Ltd.

Reports in the Redcliffe Herald, at the time, said there were four floorplans to choose from, ranging in price from $13,500 to $16,250.

Interest in the development was huge with 20 people a day reportedly making enquiries. Units were sold once completed, rather than off the plan.

Managing agent from Goldsworthy Real Estate John Barnes is quoted by the Herald as saying he did not expect the units to sell quickly.

“This is new in Redcliffe and everything new is slow to catch on. Also, people always need to shop around and see what is the best buy for their money. There is good value in these units,” he said.

The units were of clay cavity brick construction with plaster walls, fitted with sliding aluminium windows and fly screens. They had two bedrooms and bay views.

“Each unit is a complete home with both back and front entrances and its own car accommodation,” the Herald report said.

“The units have been specially wired so that television sets can be just plugged in. This eliminates the ugly spectacle of 10 individual television antennas. Provision has also been made for a television in each unit.”

The complex was promoted as being in close proximity to the ‘Redcliffe business centre’, with beach frontage and panoramic views.

A typical unit had two bedrooms with built-in wardrobes, lounge-dining room, kitchen, pantry, bathroom, toilet, laundry facilities and external balconies. There was also ‘ample cupboard space’.

“In addition to the normal fittings such as electric stoves, hot water units, stainless steel sinks etc, each unit will also contain an automatic clothes drying cabinet and an electric food waste disposal unit,” Redcliffe Herald, March 16, 1966.

Site works had started at that point and construction was expected to start once Redcliffe City Council had issued a building permit.

“It is anticipated that the building will be completed within five months,” the report said.

The complex was named after John Oxley and remains in that sought-after position overlooking Queens Beach today.