A historic worker’s cottage in Clayfield is heading to auction on 13 May, with its current owners appealing for information to solve the mystery behind its origins.
Heritage Uncertainty at Centre of Clayfield Auction
A historic Clayfield residence, known as Camden House, has drawn attention not only for its architectural preservation but for the mystery surrounding its origins. The five-bedroom home at 34 Crombie Street is one of Brisbane’s oldest surviving worker’s cottages, yet little is known about who built it or its early ownership.
Background and Restoration Efforts
Believed to date back to the late 1800s, the property was purchased in 2017 by David Notley and Amanda Neill for $1.27 million. The couple retained the original name plaque, Camden House, but efforts to trace the home’s early history proved unsuccessful. Despite the presence of multiple locations named Camden across Brisbane, no conclusive link has been established to this property.
The house had already undergone restoration prior to their purchase. Since then, the couple has added contemporary touches including a formal hedge-lined frontage, updated fixtures, and an outdoor cabana beside the lap pool.
Distinctive Features and Auction Details
Camden House retains a number of period-specific details including 3.2-metre ceilings, vertical joint (VJ) walls, ornate breezeways, and original timber flooring. It features a gabled roof, wrought iron entry, and expansive verandahs.
The two-level home includes multiple living areas, a skylit kitchen with a servery window, and a rear entertainer’s deck fitted with a wet bar, ceiling fan, and heating strips. The downstairs area opens to a landscaped garden and an elevated solar-heated lap pool accompanied by a private cabana.
Additional amenities include five bedrooms, three bathrooms, a double garage with extra storage, and secure parking for two more vehicles. The home sits on a 556-square-metre block and is located within the Ascot State School catchment area.
Camden House is scheduled to go under the hammer on 13 May, listed through Patrick McKinnon and Drew Davies of Place Ascot.
Continued Search for History
The owners are calling on the public to share any information that might help piece together the property’s past before the auction date. While the house has become a refined modern residence, the lack of documentation about its origins has left a significant gap in the local historical record.
Published 9-May-2025
