[1] Middenbury, a single-storeyed brick building, rectangular in plan and surrounded by verandahs on three sides, is located in Toowong on an elevated position on the Brisbane River.

[1][4][5] In July 1853 James Henderson, a manager of the Bank of Australasia in Sydney, purchased Portion 25, Parish of Enoggera, a parcel of over 16 acres (6.5 ha), dissected by the Moggill Road and fronting the Brisbane River.

Key elements of villa estates included large and comfortable houses, associated outbuildings such as servant's' quarters and stabling, expansive garden settings, and a good road to town.

[19] A later article in September stated, "numerous villa residences have been erected during the past 12 months in the suburbs of the town...No greater proof of the prosperity of a city as a whole can be afforded than that derived from the disposition of its citizens to plant and build on its environs, and to make it their home socially as well as professionally...Scarcely a day passes but our advertising columns invite tenders for the erection of villa residences...".

[32][33] An 1875 survey map conducted as part of this process shows Middenbury with verandahs on its northeast and southeast elevations, with the rear of the house flanked by service wings, and a building on the site of the stables.

[35][36] In March 1877, Frank Rogers was advertising Middenbury for rental, "containing drawing, dining, 7 bedrooms, besides kitchen, laundry...coachhouse, stables, garden, and paddock, and every requisite for a gentleman's family".

In addition to the "superior household furniture", "culinary requisites" and items used by domestic staff, the family horse and carriage, milch cows, pigs and poultry were also offered for purchase.

[1][44][45][46]In April 1885 Middenbury, described as "a commodious country residence...command[ing] views of reaches both up and down the stream, and overlooking the whole of Brisbane, north and south" was put up for auction,[47] but was not sold.

An owner and breeder of horses, he was closely involved in the racing industry, a one-time president (for 22 years) and life member of the Queensland Turf Club.

[55][56][57][58][59][60][1] During the O'Shea's time at Middenbury, the longest period of continuous occupancy of the building as a residence, considerable alterations and additions occurred at the property.

While the extent of alterations to the grounds during the O'Shea period is unclear, it is known a lawn tennis court was established on a terraced area between the river and the house, while other landscape features included a large circular driveway, mature trees and a series of garden beds.

Prior to World War II, Middenbury became a well-known social venue for the elite in Brisbane, with the house and the grounds hosting numerous events and guests.

The social pages of Brisbane's newspapers regularly reported on occasions held at the residence including events connected to racing and regatta parties.

Pictured in the drawing room of Middenbury, the article claimed, "Musicians, actors, travellers...who have been guests...have spread the fame of Miss Ella O'Shea as a hostess in all the English speaking countries".

Pat's obituary in the Sunday Mail noted the end of an era at the now empty Middenbury, where, "Titled people, actors, artists, world celebrities were invited...They found its halls a home and its gardens a soft sanctuary".

[21][22] The ABC built several buildings on the site and the original wooden service wing at the rear, the extension, and the outbuildings including the garage were demolished and almost all the gardens destroyed; the house was almost surrounded by a steep retaining wall.

The report noted part of the building was used for canteen facilities, "which could be extended to become a most attractive staff amenity" or alternatively "an excellent executive office suite".

[79] While elements disappeared, Middenbury retained its essential 1865 building form, some early internal spaces and cedar joinery, while maintaining its orientation and relationship to the river.

High, sloping concrete retaining walls line the edge of these driveways, effectively cutting off the platform of land on which Middenbury stands from the rest of the site.

[1] The roof of the core is clad in slate with lead ridge capping and has boxed eaves ornamented with paired and tripled timber console brackets.

[1] The core contains seven rooms laid out on either side of an L-shaped corridor, which runs from a vestibule at the main entrance to a central hall before turning north-west to the rear of the house.

[1] Early finishes and features include plaster ceilings and cornices, wide cedar skirtings (stained dark brown) and timber picture rails.

[1] Middenbury stands upon a remnant platform of land at original ground height, with lawns and recent garden beds to the north and east sides of the house.

However, in 2004 reference to it having been entered in the state register was removed by a decision of the Queensland Heritage Council, in acceptance of legal advice regarding properties owned by the Australian Government for public purposes.

[1] When the ABC sold the Toowong site to Sunland Group in 2013, a condition of the sale was that an application be made to place the house on the Queensland Heritage Register.

[21] Sunland plans a high-rise residential development called Grace on Coronation; the house is to be preserved in a park setting and possibly used as a gallery or cafe.

Middenbury, erected in 1865, is important in demonstrating the evolution of residential housing and pattern of settlement in Queensland, in particular the early establishment of villa residences on the suburban periphery of Brisbane in the 1860s.

Middenbury is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of an 1860s villa residence in Queensland, through its surviving formal plan, consisting of an entrance vestibule, large reception rooms, generously sized bedrooms, rear timber service wing; and the high quality workmanship and materials used in its construction, including fine cedar joinery.

Consciously sited in an elevated location, the brick core with slate roof is surrounded on three sides by timber verandahs accessed by French doors, providing a generous space for entertaining and enjoying the views to the Brisbane River and CBD.

[1] Two large fig trees, the only surviving elements of Middenbury's former gardens, are a landmark feature along Coronation Drive and make a significant contribution to the streetscape.