Hood Mid-Century
About Our Passion for Mid-Century
We love being an independent agency. Operating under Hood Estate Agents, gives us the flexibility to be more creative and grow our business in line with our owners, Martin and Louise Hood’s personal interests of architecture, design, and their values of honesty and integrity.
This choice has meant our business can finally offer Hood Mid-Century! Led by Martin Hood, who has been successfully marketing and selling properties ‘Brisbane-wide’ through his Real Estate career now spanning close to 3 decades. Martin brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience, which has assisted him to help almost 1,100 owners to date sell their properties. However, Martin's specialty is marketing and selling Mid-Century properties.
When you combine your passions with a genuine interest in people and what motivates them, you have the beginning of something unique!
past mid-century sales
9 Ormond Tce, Indooroopilly 'The Tree House'
SOLD by Martin Hood January 2019 | $1,050,000
Forest House' is that all too rare, serene hideaway: a tranquil retreat on a 1393m2 beautifully forested site just 20 minutes from the CBD. An important early work by award winning architects Andresen O'Gorman, this handcrafted house is an architectural gift: a pavilion-style home designed to confidently integrate with the site, it creates a sense of enclosure and calm.
The Architecture
Two self-contained buildings are linked by a floating deck and a three-dimensional grid of columns and beams that frame the landscape. The main pavilion nestles within this timber frame, and features original hardwood floors, curved ceilings, fireplace, Tasmanian Oak benchtops and plywood cabinetry. One of the Forest House's distinctive features is the four-level pavilion; stretching up into the treetops, leading to a private deck overlooking the expanse of the site. With a self-contained kitchen, bathroom and bedroom space, the second pavilion is flexible in function.
The Architect | Andresen O'Gorman
Forest House is an influential building and an undisclosed link in the work of Andresen O'Gorman Architects, recipients of Australia's highest architectural honour, the Australian Institute of Architect's Gold Medal. Over the years the house has been visited by numerous students, some of whom trained in the studio and went onto become leading Australian and International Architects.
"Martin was incredibly well prepared from our very first meeting. He was very enthusiastic about our property and had a clear idea of how to market it to the right buyer. It was evident right from the start that he wasn't just interested in a sales commission but that he was genuinely interested in our home and our needs. We feel quite fortunate to have had Martin as our agent. He also has a great team behind him in Lou and Cara."
Ian & Kylie Weir (sellers & Architects themselves)
11 Kianga St, GRACEVILLE ‘Poole House Graceville'
SOLD by Martin Hood February 2020 | $1,270,000
Simple, functional and sympathetic to its peaceful surrounds, ‘Poole House Graceville' is that all too rare, serene hideaway: a tranquil retreat on a 1083m2 beautifully leafy site just 20 minutes from the CBD. An important early work by multi award winning architect Gabriel Poole, this handcrafted house is an architectural gem: a post and beam style home designed to confidently integrate with the site creating its own sense of expression and use.
The Architecture
The home offers living predominantly on one level with the exception of a self-contained studio that is positioned at the front of the residence over the multi-car carport. Designed differently than his first in Sherwood, this home represented a new beginning for Poole who derived a prefabricated construction concept off a 3.6metre grid of columns and beams known as Post and Beam – A winning combination! This style helped frame the landscape whilst allowed for symmetrical design.
The Architect | Gabriel Poole
Outstanding iconic Queensland Hall of Fame Architect, recipient of the highest honour which The Royal Australian Institute of Architects can bestow: the Gold Medal in 1998 for lifetime services to architecture. His work has been published widely and he has received many awards and commendations, including both the Robin Boyd Award and the Robin Dods Award in 1991 for the Tent House. Poole House Graceville designed and constructed in 1967/68 was Poole’s second family home and a design that started an architectural design journey that has been appreciated by Poole’s loyal followers over the years.
122 Seventeen Mile Rocks Rd, Oxley
SOLD by Martin Hood October 2020 | $715,000
Constructed in 1964 and following in the footsteps of classic modernist architecture with its clean design and flat lines, this four-bedroom home situated on an elevated 1,174m2 allotment was designed by renowned gold medal winning architect Peter Heathwood and embodies the final manifestation of the modern movement in the twentieth century.
The History
The allotment for 122 Seventeen Mile Rocks Rd was originally purchased and subdivided in 1962 for Mrs Val Finnamore (Daughter of the Webster family who owner Webster Biscuit Factory) and the home which still currently stands today was designed by Peter Heathwood and built in 1964. Mrs Finnamore’s Father-in-Law was a bricklayer and it is believed that the home and the one which used to stand next door (now a childcare centre) was completed by him. Upon her death only a few years later, the home was purchased by Frank and Lorraine Hennessy in 1968. Although the property was never formally named, Frank’s family originally owned a property in Roma which was dubbed ‘Brundah’. This name was carried from the Roma house and used in Frank’s parents’ home in Skew St, Sherwood until its demolition. With fond ties to the name, the Hennessey’s carried the name plaque across to their own family home where it was proudly hung for the next 40 years. During their four-decade ownership of the property, Frank and Lorraine undertook many renovations to make it the four-bedroom home it is today. Originally two bedrooms, the Hennessy’s enlisted the help of architect Brian Hackett in the 1970’s and added two further bedrooms, internal staircase, family room downstairs, second toilet and bathroom and a double garage (originally situated underneath the home). They also added an inground pool in 1977, upgraded the kitchen in 1980 and added a deck in 2000. After raising three children in the home, the Hennessy’s sold the property in 2009.
13 Hazelmere Pde, Sherwood
SOLD by Martin Hood June 2021 | $1,850,000
Perfectly situated within one of the most desired streets on the highside of Sherwood, this architecturally designed home was originally constructed in 1959 by Griffin and Knowlman, and then further enhanced in 1961 and again in 1968 by renowned Queensland Architect John Railton. In recent years, this residence has been meticulously and masterfully renovated over a two-year period from 2016. The showcase home now easily delivers an ideal amalgamation of modern and mid-century design, the four-bedroom home permeates sophistication through its tasteful interiors and high-end finishes.
The Architects & Builders
Griffin & Knowlman - 1960 & 1961
Founded in 1950 and still designing and constructing homes throughout Brisbane today under Knowlman McDonald, Griffin and Knowlman were renowned Queensland architects and builders. First engaged to design and construct 13 Hazelmere Parade after the land was purchased in 1959 by a local pilot, the property was initially a lowset two-bedroom home. Upon realising the home was too small for his needs, the owner had the upstairs bedroom added in 1961.
John Railton – 1968
Having worked on such projects around Brisbane as the Toowong Library (1961) and the Centenary Pools on Gregory Terrace (1959), John established his own practice in 1962. In 1968, the owner of 13 Hazelemere Pde engaged with John to add the rear extension to the home (which at the time was an extra three bedrooms plus playroom), now the open plan living/dining and kitchen.
After decades of operating under local and international real estate franchises, Martin and his wife Louise made the decision to launch their own brand in 2020 and evolve beyond franchising to give them the flexibility to be more creative and grow their business in line with their personal interests of architecture, design, and their values of honesty and integrity. When you combine your passions with a genuine interest in people and what motivates them, you have the beginning of something unique.
In a career that has almost seen him span over three decades and over $400 million in sales; he remains in the elite status in his field. Martin has enjoyed a highly successful and rewarding real estate career which followed on from a strong base of banking and finance, conveyancing and residential building.
A lifelong passion for all things mid century, including multiple visits to modernism week in Palm Springs California, Martin has developed a great understanding and appreciation for its design. This specialised knowledge has allowed him to produce expert marketing tailored to the mid century market and it's devoted following.
So, when the time comes to sell, we are your Mid-Century specialists.