House Transformation & Renovation: Top 5 Affordable Upgrades for Modern Living

The Courier-Mail | 21 May 2024

House transformation involves a complete overhaul to create your dream home. In Australia and the UK, house transformations can include kitchen remodels, bathroom renovations, and landscaping overhauls.

With ideas from transformation shows on Netflix and dramatic before and after photos, these projects increase home value and enhance functionality. From Green Bay to anywhere, transformation houses can become truly inspiring homes.

Andrew and Kate Hay at the Noosa North Shore resort-style home they rescued from ruin and turned into a resort-style property. Photo: AAP/Megan Slade.Source: News Limited

On the banks of the Noosa River, looking out over a fortune in prime real estate, a dilapidated concrete shell sat for years awaiting its owner’s return.

BEFORE: The concrete shell that was the house at 2 Frying Pan Track, Noosa North Shore, before it was transformed. Photo: Lachie Millard.Source: News Corp Australia

AFTER: The finished 2 Frying Pan Track, Noosa North Shore Qld 4565Source: Supplied

Enter Andrew and Kate Hay, an enthusiastic Brisbane couple, with a nous for luxury real estate and the courage to take on an abandoned project.

“The first thing that struck me was it was two hectares of land wrapped in a national park with the Noosa River right on the doorstep, amazing flora and fauna, and kangaroos jumping in the yard,” Mr. Hay told The Sunday-Mail.

“When I saw the building in its original state, it was really about realizing the original vision which was an unparalleled piece of paradise never to be repeated.”

The couple undertook due diligence to assess what risks there were, especially around the structure and town planning laws.

“Under new town planning now you can’t build houses of this scale, 1,000 sqm is a large home in itself. So we had to go back through the town planning process and get some comfort around that and the structure.”

BEFORE: The exterior of the property at 2 Frying Pan Track before it was renovated. Photo: Lachie Millard.Source: News Corp Australia

AFTER: The exterior of the property at 2 Frying Pan Track after the renovation.Source: Supplied

AFTER: The finished product after a major renovation.Source: Supplied

With that in place they engaged professionals including Vati Projects for construction and Grow Collective for landscaping to complete the dream project, spending “multiple millions” in the process.

“It was built extremely well originally so then it was a reasonably simple exercise with a few design tweaks here and there.”

The scale of the house meant they wanted to break the home up into sections and because it was built of concrete, they added elements to tie it into nature.

“We wanted to use organic and natural materials, so we brought in a lot of natural stone, imported a lot of marble and timbers sympathetic to the landscape here.”

“Landscaping is really important because it’s all about letting the house breathe.

“We laid a lot of lawn to give it a big tropical feel, big palm trees, it feels like a big tropical resort in Hawaii.

“We wanted to build something that would last forever.”

BEFORE: Chris Holand and Jenny Van Maanberg take a tour through 2 Frying Pan Track on Noosa North Shore when it was just a concrete shell. Photo: Lachie Millard.Source: News Corp Australia

AFTER: Inside the house at 2 Frying Pan Track, Noosa North Shore, after the renovation.Source: Supplied

They named it Eden — almost 17,000 sqm of waterfront land, with a sprawling five-bedroom luxury home packed with everything a modern family could wish for.

Just across the river from some of Noosa’s most popular spots including the highly popular Hastings Street, it has five-meter high ceilings with electronic louvered windows, ducted airconditioning that runs off a 7kw solar system, enough space to comfortably accommodate 14 people, kids retreat, separate media room, internal courtyard, fully tiled pool, outdoor gazebo and an external shed that can accommodate two boats.

They’ve spent weeks with family and friends in the completed home “and had an amazing time”.

“It’s so close to Noosa and its amenities. We duck across on the boat. It’s eight minutes to dive from the ferry.”

“When you wake up here sometimes you have to pinch yourself because it’s paradise.”

BEFORE: The outside of the 2 Frying Pan Track when was a dilapidated concrete shell. Photo: Lachie Millard.Source: News Corp Australia

AFTER: The transformation of 2 Frying Pan Track, Noosa North Shore, is amazing. Source: Supplied

AFTER: The outdoor entertaining and pool area at the property after the renovation.Source: Supplied

Mr. Hay believes a very astute buyer would snap it up “because, in the long run, they are going to be served very well by the property”.

Their real estate agent Adrian Reed was astounded at the result: “You can’t find a home of this scale in a normal residential position. You’d generally have to push beyond residential.”

He has the property up for sale by tender, applications for which close at 5 pm on Friday, October 19. “This never-to-be-repeated opportunity is arguably one of Noosa’s most iconic properties.”

For the Hays, it’s going to be satisfying to see a family enjoy their hard work.

“What would make us most happy is to see this go to a buyer that will enjoy it for years. We’ve been able to stay here and enjoy it ourselves. We’ve had friends and family up through the school holidays. We love the Noosa lifestyle up here and one day we’d love to make this area a permanent home.”

RENO FACT CHECK:

Time taken: About 12 months

Total spend: $2m plus

End valuation: Not disclosed