Toni and Michael Bache purchased this Burleigh Heads home under the hammer
TONI and Michael Bache hardly dared dream they would one day own the block next door to their home in the tightly held beachside community of Koala Park, Burleigh Heads.
After all, the original 1960s low-set bungalow, which sold under the hammer for $2.09m, had been the pride and joy of the Beesley family for 60 years.
It was one of the first homes in the sought-after southern Gold Coast pocket by picturesque Tallebudgera Creek, built in 1963 by Dave and Joy Beesley who raised their five sons there.
On Saturday morning, the Baches skipped over into the frontyard of their neighbours’ place, hearts in their stomachs but heads in the auction game.
The savvy couple, who already have 10 local projects under their belts including building two luxury homes on the adjacent block, had crunched the numbers and finetuned an auction strategy with Scott Aggett, of Hello Haus.
Michael and Toni Bache
The couple built two luxury homes on the block next door
Mr Bache was all set to get the first bid in, but buyer’s agent Matt Srama was too quick, kicking off the contest with an opening offer of $1.57m for a Brisbane family.
Auctioneer Scott Harman fielded a flurry of bids from eight registered bidders up to $1.75m, after which it was down to two remaining buyers before Mr Bache put in the winning bid.
“I think it was all over within ten minutes – so fast and furious,” Ms Bache said.
“Thankfully Michael was bidding or I would have had a heart attack.”
The four-bedroom, two-bathroom shack on a 632sq m block was marketed by Claudia Young and Maree Lansdown, of Black and Young Real Estate, and attracted a mix of developers, local buyers, and land bankers.
“We bought our place 17 years ago and Dave and Joy were the first people we met,” Ms Bache said.
“We always dreamed of buying their block but never really thought it would happen.
“They recently passed and their five boys decided to sell it. They were so emotional, but so happy it went to us as they know us, and know we’re not going to knock it down.”
The home has been immaculately preserved
It has been in the same family for 60 years
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Until the sales campaign, the Baches had never actually been inside, always chatting to the Beesleys in the yard.
“The owners had kept it immaculate, which meant the numbers worked even better for us because we could move straight in and there was no rush to renovate it,” Ms Bache said.
“We heard everyone else at the opens talking about knocking it down and we felt a bit of an obligation to retain the original charm of such an iconic home.
“Long-term, we have a big reno planned, but still honouring the 60s beach shack vibes,” she said.
That includes retaining the pink bathroom, albeit as an “elevated” version of the porcelain original with high-end finishes like those found in the Calile Hotel’s blush-hued amenities.
Other original features include vintage laminates, timber floors, and built-in cabinetry.
Original features inside
The pink bathroom will be ‘elevated’
Ms Young said it had been an emotional campaign for all involved.
“The sellers were disheartened to see it go because it has been in their family for such a long time, but they are stoked with the result and the buyers are even happier,” she said.
“Maree and I have put everything into the campaign.”
And while the words “forever home” don’t generally align with a seasoned house flipper, Ms Bache said this could even be the one.
“We’ve lived in 14 homes since we first moved in together, but honestly, it would be so nice to live there as long as the previous owners,” she said.
The couple will name their retro pad ‘Breezley Bungalow’ in honour of the former owners and the friendship they shared.
In March 2021, one of the two homes they’d built after subdividing the adjacent block was sold for $1.75m.
The Koala Park precinct has become a hive of rejuvenation over the last five years, with new builds and renovations sending home values soaring.
A near-new luxury home across two waterfront blocks at 10-12 Elanora Dr set a new record of $9.7m when it sold under the hammer in September.
They will call the home ‘Breezley Bungalow’ in honour of its former owners
The post How neighbours’ $2 million bid saved 1960s Burleigh beach shack from demolition appeared first on realestate.com.au.