A Queensland builder who spent decades rejecting multimillion-dollar offers for his handcrafted castle has finally listed the property for sale.
Brian Rumble, now in his mid-80s, built the four-storey medieval-style residence stone by stone on a 4-hectare site at Waterford West in Brisbane’s southern growth corridor.
The property features turrets, leadlight windows and ornate sculptures – all handmade by Rumble, who is also an artist and sculptor.
Ray White Rochedale agents Sunny Singh and Syed Ali are marketing the property, with Mr Singh describing it as “the rarest and largest development opportunity on the market”.
“Our focus is on developers, and this is one of the last parcels left for developments of this size in the area,” Mr Singh told realestate.com.au.
The 40,150 square metre landholding is zoned for small-lot residential development.
It has existing approval for three acreage lots, with potential for reconfiguration into more than 100 residential lots, subject to council approval.
The estate includes the main castle residence with a rooftop hatch, Tudor-style living and dining areas, a two-storey artist studio or guest accommodation, cottage gardens, two commercial sheds and extensive garaging.
Mr Rumble had previously rejected offers exceeding $2.5 million, turning away developers in 2007, 2015 and 2017.
He had wanted the castle’s legacy to continue.
The property attracted community support over the years, with Brisbane photographer Rebecca Jones launching a Change.org petition calling for council preservation that gathered more than 1,500 signatures.
Mr Rumble had opened the property free to visitors most Sundays.
The auction is scheduled for 6pm on Wednesday, 25 March.
