Reno blitz on mansion
‘Mickey Mouse’ chateau cops a hammering
THE new owners of one of the Gold Coast’s most recognisable waterfront mansions are taking a wrecking ball to their “Mickey Mouse”-style home in a million-dollar revamp.
The three-level Paradise Waters house, No.20 in the Gold Coast Bulletin’s 50 Dream Homes of 2015, is being transformed from a French-inspired chateau into a Florida-styled house.
The mansion, at the end of Buccaneer Court, is wellknown for its quirky style.
The symmetrical pale-grey facade is adorned with distinctive hallmarks of a French Napoleonic chateau with hopped roofs, shuttered double french windows, balconies and porch balustrades, and wrought-iron cresting on the rooftop.
But that is all about to change under the direction of Pat and Jeff Worboys, whose
If we take off all the Mickey Mouse and Hansel and Gretel windows, this could go from the French chateau to a beautiful stately classic old-style home
vision incorporates a classic Florida feel.
The pair, who work in financial services, bought the 1102sq m property for $4.025 million in November after relocating from their Hamptonsinspired home, also in Paradise Waters.
“We had never planned to sell but we’ve got three kids now and we needed more land and we thought this house has so much potential,” Mrs Worboys said.
“I can see this has got good bones and I can see how we can turn this into a Florida- style classic, it just needs some TLC and cosmetic changes.
“If we take off all the Mickey Mouse and Hansel and Gretel windows and incorporate beautiful square-set styling, this could go from the French chateau to a beautiful stately classic old-style home.”
Since they moved in, the pair have taken down the ornate curtains throughout the house and painted over the gold trim on doors and architraves. They have also removed ornate wrought iron from the roof and stairwell.
Mrs Worboys said she was heavily influenced by up-market American architecture.
“I have an understanding of the Florida style, it’s the white, the sandstone, the columns,” she said.
The renovations, to be completed in stages by late next year, will include ornate joinery and bespoke finishes as well as moving the pool from the front to the back of the house.