The historic Cairns Queenslander home of a landmark business founder is going under the hammer
Margrit Allen of ReMax Cairns is selling 14 Queen Street, Parramatta Park. Photo: Brendan Radke
The former home of a landmark business owner in Cairns will go under the hammer this weekend, complete with retro fixtures and finishes.
RE/MAX Real Estate Cairns agent Margrit Allen will take 14 Queen St in Parramatta Park to auction at 10am this Saturday, with the current owners committed to selling the classic Queenslander.
The four-bedroom house on a 405sq m block was the former home of Sydney Turner and her family from 1947 to 2024.
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14 Queen Street, Parramatta Park
Sydney was the founder of Turner Home Appliances in Portsmith, which closed its doors in 2022 to make way for Officeworks.
At the time, third-generation manager Brendan Turner called it a bittersweet moment.
“The business has passed through three generations which is rare,” said Mr Turner.
In 1936, Sydney, along with fellow Texan Robert Lee Hearn, opened a store in Mossman that sold bicycles and phonograph sets.
They opened a shop in Cairns called Hearn and Turner, but Mr Hearn moved from Cairns to Brisbane two years later, the business was renamed Sydney H Turner.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Mr Turner was a franchisee of STC Appliances and opened stores across North Queensland, from Townsville to Atherton.
His son Gary took over the business in 1978, and Brendan took over in 2012.
Now, the owner of the Turner family home will pass the Queenslander into new hands.
“Large buyers should be prepared to bid – sellers are willing to sell,” the listing said.
On the corner of the block, the residence offers “real charm”, including high ceilings, stained glass windows, ornate cornicing, French doors and wooden floors.
The air-conditioned living area has bay windows.
There are four spacious bedrooms, two retro bathrooms, an art deco kitchen, and an enclosed balcony with floor-to-ceiling custom screens.
A multi-colored bathroom
The downstairs is also fully enclosed and comes with a lockable garage.
The current owner bought the property back in November 2024 for $1.03 million and then subdivided the block, selling the backyard.
The house was rented.
It has impeccable Queenslander features
RE/MAX Real Estate Cairns dealer owner Tony Williamson said the sale confused the market.
“When it last sold it was two titles,” he said, adding that the property currently being sold is a Queenslander on a 405sq m block.
“What we are saying is that here is an opportunity to get one of the best Queenslanders in Cairns at an affordable price.
“Queen St has many proud owners and is one of Queenslander’s premier residential streets.”
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Since the launch of the three-week campaign, Ms Allen said a lot of interest has come from homeowners.
“It was extended in the 1960s and has two bathrooms which is unique to a Queenslander of its vintage,” she said.
Mr Williamson added that its location was also a major drawcard.
“You’re just one block away from the CBD,” he said.
“We are very happy to sell a quality property like this.
“Everything is at your door.”
It now sits on a 405sq m block after the current owner sold part of the block
