Located in the premium dress circle pocket of Girards Hill, selling agent, Brett McDonald from Raine & Horne Ocean Shores/Brunswick Heads sold the magnificent property at 39 James Street, for famed artist Christine James and her husband, Geoff James. 

Mrs James’ work which is inspired by the Bundjalung National Park and the Broadwater National Park, are included in the public collections of the United Nations Centre for Human Settlement, Artbank and Parliament House Canberra.

Known as the ‘Queen of the Hill’, the architectural jewel, sold to a private buyer from the region, according to Mr McDonald. “There is plenty of commentary about buyers from our capital cities fleeing to regional hubs such as Lismore to escape COVID-19 lockdowns.

“But that is only a small part of the story, with most of our buyers moving to Lismore from the local Northern Rivers and Tweed Coast regions, including the buyer of this wonderful property.”

Mr McDonald added, “People are moving to Lismore because it’s such a great town with cultural diversity. This diversity includes a broad mix of galleries, performing arts studios, a music conservatorium, and a university.

Lismore also has a genuine sense of community, which is a quality you can’t put a price on. The locals support one another and welcome newcomers

“This diversity and bonhomie are all within five minutes of this magnificent Federation home, which was the best house our buyers could find in this region.”

Mrs James, whose paintings also hang in the Centre for Environmental Studies at the Australian National University, agreed. “This house brought us to Lismore, and since then we have done a lot of work to it, opening up to create even more light and space.”

The spacious interiors of Queen of the Hill are beautifully appointed, providing a perfect balance of living and entertaining areas with a coherent theme throughout with an emphasis on natural light and spatial awareness. Excellent utilisation of space allows for a variety of uses including separate generous entry, separate living/dining and large contemporary kitchen which opens to a stone-paved terrace as well as to a paved garden room at the rear.

“It is such a wonderful home with a tremendous sense of space. Every room looks out into the gardens,” Mrs James continued.

“We have space and privacy, which normally only come with a home on acreage but without the extra work.”

The famed Australian artist also says there are other aspects of the magnificent Federation house she will miss. “The beauty of the architectural features for a start. Never before had I seen Silver Ash floorboards. 

“The garden is planted with many natives and with that comes diverse birdsong. There is a koala corridor just beyond the house behind ours. All this is within 10 minutes drive of the university, two hospitals and the CBD. I can’t imagine where else you can have all this.”

For all your real estate sales and property management needs in the Northern Rivers contact Raine & Horne Raine & Horne Ocean Shores/Brunswick Heads on (02) 6680 5000.