Historic Paddington Estate Sells for $3.1 Million Despite Ghostly Past

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A long-abandoned home in the affluent suburb of Paddington has stunned buyers and onlookers alike, fetching $3.1 million at auction despite its reputation as a “haunted house”. Located at 31 Perrott Street, the derelict estate was snapped up by a new family over the weekend, marking the end of more than 30 years of mystery and speculation about its eerie past. The auction drew a crowd of over 150 people, many lured by curiosity as much as by the high-profile sale.

The Paddington property, cloaked in decades of neglect, has become something of an urban legend. Rumours that the house was once used as a war hospital have circulated for years, adding to its unsettling reputation. Locals say the residence has been vacant since the early 1990s, when its former owners reportedly left without explanation. The property’s faded grandeur, overgrown gardens and crumbling interiors only heightened speculation about its supposed haunting, earning it the nickname of a “super creepy” home among residents.

Despite its spooky reputation, the auction was a fiercely contested affair, with multiple bidders vying for the rare opportunity to own a large parcel in one of Brisbane’s most sought-after neighbourhoods. Paddington, known for its blend of historic charm and luxury lifestyle, has seen soaring property demand. The sale price is a clear indication that buyer appetite in blue-chip suburbs remains robust, even for properties that need significant work. For many investors and families, the chance to restore a grand old home in a high-growth area outweighed the whispers of ghosts and mystery.

The buyers, said to be a local family intending to renovate the house into a liveable residence, are undeterred by its haunted reputation. Their purchase marks a new chapter for a property that has stood frozen in time for decades. In a market where land and heritage properties are increasingly hard to find, homes like 31 Perrott Street are goldmines for those with vision and grit. The Paddington sale is a reminder that in real estate, opportunity often lies beneath the surface  and sometimes, even the spookiest homes can find new life in the hands of bold buyers.