Steven and Jill Mann and their family have had “some amazing parties” at their Ascot home, so many so that friends have said there must be one more at 30 Massey St.
But with their three children Lauren, 31, Alex, 29 and Paris, 28, having left the nest, it is time to downsize to an apartment that they can “lock up and leave”.
“We bought this house in 2014 as we had been living in Clayfield and we had four kids at home (including Lauren’s boyfriend Damon) and we had just outgrown the place,” Mrs Mann said.
“Then after they left, Paris moved her boyfriend Damon in, so its had always been a full house … a bit of a revolving door, really.”
Steven and Jill Mann at their Ascot property with Damon and Lauren Bracey with two-and-a-half year old Poppy, Paris Mann and Matt Hopper, Saturday, August 12, 2023 – Picture: Richard Walker
Mrs Mann said that when they first saw 30 Massey St they loved the various breakout spaces, but they knew they had work to do.
30 Massey St, Ascot
“That’s what I love about it,” she said. “There was always a place to find some peace from all of the kids.”
One of the first renovation jobs the couple did was to remove a wall in the kitchen that was blocking their city views.
“That kitchen cost a bomb,” Mrs Massey said.
They also renovated the pool and added an extra bathroom upstairs.
“That room is more like a hotel now,” she said of the master suite.
30 Massey St, Ascot
Spread over four levels, with the gym on the lower floor, Mrs Massey that the gym was one of her favourite places in the house.
“When we bought the house, that area felt more like some call centre,” she said. “It had no windows or light.
“Now I am down there everyday and it is something I want in our next place.”
30 Massey St, Ascot
But it is the parties that will be remembered the most, from engagements to 21st celebrations.
“We put a timber floor over the grassed area and strung up some festoon lights,” Mrs Massey said.
“We have had some amazing parties here. A lot of the kids friends have said we need to have one more party at Massey St.”
But with no kids left at home, the couple have decided it is time to downsize and have their sights set on a three-bedroom apartment in the inner-city.
30 Massey St, Ascot
Mrs Massey said the third bedroom is “more for the grandkids these days”.
“We want something we can just lock up and leave, really,” she said.
It is a long way from their first house in Sydney, which was built by Mrs Mann’s father.
“We have really worked hard on our way up the property ladder,” she said.
“I think we worked out we have had eight houses over our time but we started at the bottom.”
Their family home is being marketed by Place Ascot agents Patrick McKinnon and Jill and will go to auction at 2pm on September 2.
30 Massey St, Ascot
It has six bedrooms and four bathrooms and sits on a 868sq m block.
Features include vaulted ceilings, free flowing spaces, and indoor-outdoor entertainment areas with views of Brisbane city.
There is a grand double-height foyer with timber flooring, two statement staircases connecting the multiple levels. open plan living, dining, and entertaining spaces and French doors that opening out to the courtyard and a solar-heated pool.
The lower level is home to the gym, while level two is where you will find two bedrooms, a covered patio, a rumpus and bathroom.
The main living spaces are located on level three and include the living and dining areas with access to the balcony and pool, the chic kitchen, two further bedrooms, a private lounge and another bathroom.
Another ensuited bedroom is located on the top floor, as is the huge master suite with a massive walk-in robe and ensuite.
30 Massey St, Ascot
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