Brisbane Street residence Sotherton holds a significant place in Launceston's historic fabric, as it is literally made from a fallen city icon.
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The home, which has a Georgian interior and an Arts and Craft exterior, overlooks stunning City Park from its position, perched on the hill.
Sotherton owner Robert Dusting takes great pride in exploring and explaining the heritage listed home's interesting past.
Sotherton was constructed in 1930 and 1931 out of bricks from the iconic Launceston Club Hotel, which had been demolished when Sotherton was being constructed.
This building material recycling means Sotherton was likely constructed from some of the oldest bricks in the city.
Sotherton was built for a well-known local, Doctor Clifford Craig, who moved in in December, 1931 with his family.
He ran a thriving surgery from one side of the residence.
In the 1950s, the house was leased to Sir Richard K Green before being turned into a commercial property, when it became known as Launceston Pathology.
In September 1978, Sotherton was sold, and was used as accountants’ offices and counselling rooms.
It was utilised as such until Mr Dusting purchased the home in 2008.
Mr Dusting won the Launceston City Council 2011 Heritage Award in the residential category for Sotherton.
The two-storey, 17-room house is home to historic paraphernalia collected by Mr Dusting.
Mr Dusting lived at Burnie when the residence was put on the market.
He was immediately enamoured with Sotherton when he saw it advertised in The Examiner.
Idiosyncratic additions to the home remind visitors their in a historic home, including maids’ quarters, and cupboards in the upstairs bedrooms that fling open to reveal sinks.
Thirty-six doors, of inconsistent heights, were also taken from the old hotel, and add character to the home’s corridors.
Downstairs, a mini-conservatory adds greenery, while a large balcony around the back is the perfect place to catch some sun.
Mr Dusting said he had been tirelessly working on the property ever since he first purchased it, and would continue to do so.
He spends a significant time outdoors tending to the lush garden.
"This is an English cottage garden, and it's got some interesting gardenalia...these old roses are from our old house in Koo-Wee-Rup in Gippsland [in Victoria]," he said.
Mr Dusting feels right at home at Sotherton.
"[There's a] homely feel to the place...it just felt right for me," he said.
