Loving

Talent/Space/Design

- Emma Markezic

Camp Hill

Once An Overnight Resting Spot For Early Settlers Travelling To Brisbane, This Suburb Is Fast Becoming A Microcosm Of Cool

IT WASN’T THE PROXIMITY TO THE CITY that put the sleepy Queensland suburb of Camp Hill on the radar for Patience Hodgson and John Patterson, but rather a case of Mum knows best. “My mum grew up here and talked a lot about her neighbours and living close to the Seven Hills Bushland Reserve,” says John. Patience is a convert to John’s Seven Hills heritage. “The Reserve is a transformative location,” she says. “It takes you out of the ’burbs and tricks you into thinking you’re off hiking some secluded inland track.”

It’s a far cry from their days on tour – the couple make up two-thirds of indie rock band The Grates, and spent time living overseas. “We bought the house in 2007 while our band was touring, spent a couple of years living in New York, and then finally decided to make it our home in 2011.” The couple also own and operate Brisbane’s Southside Tea Room and Death Valley Bar, all while raising their young children, three-year-old Soda and three-month-old Fade.

Having also looked at properties in nearby Morningside, Coorparoo, Norman Park and Hawthorne, the couple have become Camp Hill’s unofficial ambassadors. “Up and down our street, and in our side streets, rad old houses are being demolished to make way for quick-built townhouses,” laments Patience, indicating now is the time to buy. “No improvements made today will come close to the tradesman ship and love put into the old houses here by their original owner-builders,” agrees John. “This place offers everything,” says Patience. “Simple as that.” 

WHAT’S IT LIKE?