Within the historic riverside neighbourhood of New Farm in Brisbane's inner city, Refinery House stands as a stunning once-industrial icon. Originally built in the 1890s, this heritage-listed property served as CSR Sugar's headquarters, bearing witness to Australia's industrial revolution. Today, through the meticulous vision and collaboration of the Kokoda Property and Carr design team, it has been transformed into luxury living, honouring the building's 120-year-old legacy while embracing the new.

The brief was as ambitious as the heritage site itself: to evolve the property without disrupting its historical integrity. For Kokoda Property's Founder, Managing Director and HIA member, Mark Stevens, the project was a unique privilege. 'It's rare to work on a heritage-listed site of this magnitude,' says Mark. 'Our goal was clear: retain the fabric of the original structure, incorporating modern interior design elements that respect its character while creating an inviting, functional home.'

Starting with an open plan across two levels, the design includes a chef's kitchen and living area, a main bedroom with ensuite and dressing room, and three additional bedrooms, each with private bathrooms. Significant structural changes were avoided to preserve the property's historical essence, with thoughtful enhancements made only when essential.

Mark's journey into property development started with a love for architecture and design. After beginning his career in finance, working with brands such as Country Road and Jeanswest, he pivoted into property in 1997, establishing Kokoda Property Group and began developing what he describes as 'addresses of distinction'. His passion for excellence has since guided projects from high-end Melbourne townhouses to prestigious residences such as Refinery House and multi-use precincts such as Teneriffe Banks.

Like all heritage builds, it wasn't without its challenges. Working within the constraints of a heritage structure, the team navigated Brisbane's stringent heritage regulations to ensure the design enhanced the building's unique features. 'We preserved much of the original form, from the rafters to the ceiling joists and timber beams,' Mark shares. 'Our materials palette had to harmonise with the past, so we used elements such as blackened steel, charred timber, and pearl black sheet metal to contrast with the rich texture of heritage brickwork.'

This creative balance of old and new elements is best captured in the kitchen, where a carefully crafted stainless-steel island wraps around the original triangular brick chimney, creating a focal point that both honours and elevates the room's historical character. Paired with exposed brickwork and polished surfaces, the result is a captivating interplay of light and texture that amplifies the home's rich industrial past.

Refinery House is a remarkable achievement, setting a new standard for how heritage and modernity can coexist. The collaboration with Chris McCue of Studio McCue and the Carr team has yielded a space that not only respects Brisbane's architectural history but also leads it forward. 'Refinery House represents our commitment to pushing the boundaries of what residential design can be,' Mark notes. 'It's a modern sanctuary that preserves history while offering new ways to live beautifully.'

With other significant projects on the horizon, from luxury hotels to vibrant community spaces, Mark and his team are reshaping Brisbane's landscape. These projects continue the Kokoda legacy of crafting places that inspire.

Materials

• Timber floors: Grey Skin parquetry timber floor, recycled whaft timbers in Driftwood Lye White from Eco Timbers
• Wall/ceiling/trim colour: Dusty Mule from Porter’s Original Paint
• Existing columns and beams: Dulux Protective Coatings, Micaceous iron oxide in Natural Steel Grey 
• Kitchen appliances: Miele 60cm PureLine pyrolytic built-in oven, 2 zone induction cooktop, 38cm induction teppanyaki cooktop, downdraft rangehood in Black, all from Winnings
• Kitchen mixer: KWC Ono stainless steel mixer with retractable spray from E&S Trading
• Frosted glass: 10mm toughened from Viridian
• Solid surface: Corian Glacier White Matt from CASF
• Bath: Claybrook Skye freestanding Bath 1700mm from Winnings
• Toilet: Rogerseller C Series C52 floor-mount pan from Winnings
• Ensuite walls/floors: Sirus black natural stone from CDK Stone
• Wall light: Dotty 24W LED white light from ISM Objects.

First published on 29 November 2024