How the Gyoza gods delivered a hefty profit for one Qld seller

News Corp Australia Network

Divine intervention or chance encounter? Regardless, Heath Williams has banked a decent windfall.

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A Brisbane real estate agent has landed a $1.52 million profit on his inner-city home in less than two years after a chance encounter at a New Farm sushi joint.

Heath Williams of Place Estate Agents was preparing to list his award-winning architectural masterpiece at 118 Brookes St in Fortitude Valley earlier this month, but just days before it was due to hit the market, the Gyoza gods had other plans.

“I ran into someone at a sushi place on James St and she asked how my beautiful home was and I mentioned I was about to list it,” Mr Williams said.

“You know those people who say that if you ever list a property, they would buy it. Well, she meant it.”

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Regardless of whether it was a chance encounter or divine intervention, the unique two-storey property, which is overlooked by two churches, sold for $3.2 million on February 11, $1.52 million more than the $1.62 million that Mr Williams bought it for in February 2021.

On a 215sq m block with six-car accommodation, it is zoned mixed use and had been Mr Williams primary residence.

“Before I bought it, it was used as a commercial space and hadn’t really been maintained,” the former interior designer said.

“In my words, I returned some of its dignity back.”

Designed by architect James Russell, Mr Williams completed a $500,000 restoration that included new bedrooms, refurbished floors, a brand new kitchen, bathrooms, fencing and lighting.

Spread over two storeys, the property, which is zoned mixed use, was designed around a central, open courtyard and has multiple living areas.

Prior to the proposed listing, Mr Williams said there were elements that he described as irreplaceable.

“Like having a perimeter wall in my garden that’s a church,” he said.

“Architectural homes and luxury homes are not normally the same thing. People don’t understand, there are sacrifices you make for good architecture.”

Mr Williams has recently purchased a number of architectural homes as investment properties.

He will move into another Paul Owen-designed house that he had planned to lease on the short term accommodation market, but has grand plans to build his dream home soon.

“There are a few places I am looking at the moment,” he said.

REAL ESTATE: This unique property at 118 Brookes St, Fortitude Valley, is about to hit the market.

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