heritage accommodation, reimagined

miss midgley’s

miss midgley’s

heritage accommodation, reimagined

chic, unique, boutique accommodation New Farm

miss midgley’s is the delightful revitalisation of one of Brisbanes oldest heritage homes. The 160 year old stone building has been transformed into five self contained apartments. Four of the apartments have two bedrooms and the fifth is a glamorous one bedroom studio. Ground floor apartments are dog friendly. Each has air-conditioning, full kitchen, generous bathrooms, a large outdoor private space and a dedicated carpark space. Shared amenities include an elegant heated outdoor pool, petit laundry, book library and bike storage. Guests can stay in one apartment or hire the entire house. Short and long term stays welcome. An off-site house manager is always available.

In the heart of New Farm, miss midgley’s is located on the famous James Street, renowned as a leading retail, cultural and lifestyle destination on a local, national and international scale.

Lisa and Isabella White, mother and daughter, both with a Masters of Architecture from the University of Queensland are the creative team behind this project. Their ambition was to restore and share this piece of history by creating a chic unique boutique accommodation experience grounded in one of Brisbane’s oldest houses.

chic, unique, boutique accommodation

miss midgley’s is the delightful revitalisation of one of Brisbanes oldest heritage homes. The 160 year old stone building has been transformed into five self contained apartments. Four of the apartments have two bedrooms and the fifth is a glamorous one bedroom studio. Ground floor apartments are dog friendly. Each has air-conditioning, full kitchen, generous bathrooms, a large outdoor private space and a dedicated carpark space. Shared amenities include an elegant heated outdoor pool, petit laundry, book library and bike storage. Guests can stay in one apartment or hire the entire house. Short and long term stays welcome. An off-site house manager is always available.

In the heart of New Farm, miss midgley’s is located on the famous James Street, renowned as a leading retail, cultural and lifestyle destination on a local, national and international scale.

Lisa and Isabella White, mother and daughter, both with a Masters of Architecture from the University of Queensland are the creative team behind this project. Their ambition was to restore and share this piece of history by creating a chic unique boutique accommodation experience grounded in one of Brisbane’s oldest houses.

as featured in…

Urban List
Broadsheet
Escape

as featured in…

Urban List
Broadsheet
Escape

miss midgley’s story

This building has lived many lives. Its journey began 159 years ago as a private home under the name of Cairncross House; an extremely rare example of colonial architecture built out of Brisbane’s heritage tuff. By the late 1860’s, the nun’s from Sisters of Mercy had converted it into an orphanage. 20 years later, a former premier of Queensland reclaimed it as his home. By this time, it had a new name; St Clair. The building was described as ‘one of the most substantially-built private residences in Brisbane.’ St Clair was used as a private hospital in the 1890’s before being sold to the Midgley family in 1903.

The Midgley family had a daughter – Annie. Annie Midgley converted her family home into a private school to aid the overcrowding at New farm state school across the road. She called it ‘Miss Midgley’s Educational Establishment.’

Annie Midgley was an artist and a teacher. She was ambidextrous, could instruct two pupils at the one time and write with both hands simultaneously. She painted in oils and water colours, modelled plaster busts and took up wood carving. Loved by her students, she was meticulously dressed with collars buttoned up the neck and lace up boots that went nearly as high.

116 years after Miss Midgley’s Educational Establishment opened, our story begins.

We knew immediately that Miss Midgley would be our inspiration on the building’s next journey.

miss midgley’s story

This building has lived many lives. Its journey began 159 years ago as a private home under the name of Cairncross House; an extremely rare example of colonial architecture built out of Brisbane’s heritage tuff. By the late 1860’s, the nun’s from Sisters of Mercy had converted it into an orphanage. 20 years later, a former premier of Queensland reclaimed it as his home. By this time, it had a new name; St Clair. The building was described as ‘one of the most substantially-built private residences in Brisbane.’ St Clair was used as a private hospital in the 1890’s before being sold to the Midgley family in 1903.

The Midgley family had a daughter – Annie. Annie Midgley converted her family home into a private school to aid the overcrowding at New farm state school across the road. She called it ‘Miss Midgley’s Educational Establishment.’

Annie Midgley was an artist and a teacher. She was ambidextrous, could instruct two pupils at the one time and write with both hands simultaneously. She painted in oils and water colours, modelled plaster busts and took up wood carving. Loved by her students, she was meticulously dressed with collars buttoned up the neck and lace up boots that went nearly as high.

116 years after Miss Midgley’s Educational Establishment opened, our story begins.

We knew immediately that Miss Midgley would be our inspiration on the building’s next journey.

…you will like it here

sustainability

miss midgley’s is working its way to be the most sustainable accommodation in Brisbane. Our journey is in a state of constant progression.
Read below for our current strategies to reduce our impact on the environment.

…you will like it here

sustainability

miss midgley’s is working its way to be the most sustainable accommodation in Brisbane. Our journey is in a state of constant progression.

Read below for our current strategies to reduce our impact on the environment..

location

New Farm is Brisbane’s most sought after suburb. Encased by the slow winding river, sprinkled with beautiful parklands, peaceful leafy streets and nestled between The City and The Valley (the home of Brisbane’s nightlife) New Farm has carved out its own identity. Don’t miss the New Farm Park Farmers Markets, or sitting riverside at the Powerhouse Museum enjoying a coffee or cocktail. The magnificent New Farm Riverwalk connects the park to the city, offering one of Brisbane’s most iconic views of the Story Bridge with soaring cliffs behind you. The riverwalk is only 10 minutes stroll from miss midgley’s front door. The real magic of miss midgley’s location is James St itself. James St is now recognised Australias premier shopping and dining precinct – the 5 top rated restaurants in Queensland are here, a stunning array of fashion boutiques and every furniture and homewares showroom worth visiting. Playing host to multiple street festivals, fashion conferences, and eat/drink awards, it has all the amenities you could imagine within a 5 minutes walk. Whatever your fancy, fine dining or pub meals, to cinemas and art galleries – you will find it on James St.

what our guests are saying

Miss Midgley's
5.0
Based on 12 reviews
powered by Google
Gaynor KingGaynor King
01:17 27 Aug 22
We stayed at Miss Midgley's for five nights and absolutely loved our stay. The first challenge is deciding which room to book because they are all beautiful! We ended up going with Refectory as its a great place to watch the world go by and so sunny sitting out for our morning coffee. The apartments are so well equipped (and we are very fussy)! No.1 for us is always - is the bed comfortable and its a big YES! Is it functional? YES. Location is sensational for James street shopping and restaurants and being in an apartment allowed us to chill and snack during the day and head out to dinner at night. My husband was cycling and golfing during our stay and the apartment was definitely spacious enough to accommodate us. One of the highlights of our stay has to be the Manager James - friendly, efficient, nothing is too much trouble and genuinely nice person who cares about Miss Midgley's. Thank you for an exceptional stay and we will definitely stay again.
Jayne BorehamJayne Boreham
04:10 19 Aug 22
We recently stayed here with our small dog for 5 days. This hotel is beautiful, very homely and not like a hotel at all. We will stay there again without hesitation in fact if we need to stay in Brisbane in future we will only stay here. All the team were very helpful and thoroughly accommodating.The location is perfect, equidistant to both Fortitude Valley and New Farm. The thing we most enjoyed was the well equipt kitchen which meant we could eat in.There is nothing to fault the hotel is beautifully designed and well appointed.
Jane EnterJane Enter
09:23 06 Aug 22
This is a wonderful place. Historic beautifully renovated building, tastefully appointed and elegant. Great heated outdoor pool, pet friendly and walking distance to all of James streets restaurants and those of New Farm. It was comfortable and had thoughtful touches such as delicious honey, lovely teas and quality linen. Definitely returning.
Hannah LeserHannah Leser
02:13 21 Jun 22
We had a wonderful stay at Miss Midgley’s. The location was perfect and the apartments are both cool and elegant making for a very fun and comfortable stay. Beds are also to die for!
Merran MorrisonMerran Morrison
03:47 20 Jun 22
Loved this place. Superbly designed and fitted out, displaying an eye to quality in all the details which make for a special experience. Wish we had had more time to hang out there. Alas, the attractions of James St kept us out and about.
Brent SavageBrent Savage
02:14 20 Jun 22
Hidden gem tucked just down the road from all the best restaurants, shopping and cafes! The owners have done a beautiful job restoring this historic building. Perfect for a few days in Brisbane. We will be back!!
Robyn CoplandRobyn Copland
08:42 28 Mar 22
We were privileged to be the first guests ever booked into Mis Midgley's. Our stay in the Refectory was very enjoyable despite the rain. Our daughter and 2 dogs were welcomed as much as we were. This is high quality boutique accommodation. Lisa the owner welcomed us and the staff were excellent and readily available, particularly James, who even gave us a beautiful jar of honey to try. The rooms were very comfortable and extremely clean and well appointed. We enjoyed a swim in the lovely pool every day. We recommend Miss Midgley's to anyone. Robyn and Ian
Luc ShorterLuc Shorter
03:02 16 Mar 22
My partner and I stayed for a week at Miss Midgley’s and from start to finish it was an outstanding experience. The renovation of the building has struck the perfect balance between accentuating the beauty of its historical features and providing all the modern conveniences and comforts. I was really impressed with the attention to detail and this was explained when I discovered that the owner and her daughter partnered on the project and that they’re both architects. Their effort and expertise is evident in the finished product. It’s a space that is a real delight to spend time in. Despite being the first guests in our apartment nothing had been overlooked and our interactions with the owners (who were staying in house at the time) were lovely - so kind and considerate. The history of the building is fascinating and you can read about it in a book they have had put together. Finally, the team managing our stay (Aaron and Nicole) were brilliant - responsive and clear in their communications. I would/will definitely stay here again and have no hesitation recommending it if you feel like treating yourself to something special; something with the trifecta of character, history and comfort.
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Reimagined heritage accommodation, on James St.

what our guests are saying

Miss Midgley's
5.0
Based on 12 reviews
powered by Google
Gaynor KingGaynor King
01:17 27 Aug 22
We stayed at Miss Midgley's for five nights and absolutely loved our stay. The first challenge is deciding which room to book because they are all beautiful! We ended up going with Refectory as its a great place to watch the world go by and so sunny sitting out for our morning coffee. The apartments are so well equipped (and we are very fussy)! No.1 for us is always - is the bed comfortable and its a big YES! Is it functional? YES. Location is sensational for James street shopping and restaurants and being in an apartment allowed us to chill and snack during the day and head out to dinner at night. My husband was cycling and golfing during our stay and the apartment was definitely spacious enough to accommodate us. One of the highlights of our stay has to be the Manager James - friendly, efficient, nothing is too much trouble and genuinely nice person who cares about Miss Midgley's. Thank you for an exceptional stay and we will definitely stay again.
Jayne BorehamJayne Boreham
04:10 19 Aug 22
We recently stayed here with our small dog for 5 days. This hotel is beautiful, very homely and not like a hotel at all. We will stay there again without hesitation in fact if we need to stay in Brisbane in future we will only stay here. All the team were very helpful and thoroughly accommodating.The location is perfect, equidistant to both Fortitude Valley and New Farm. The thing we most enjoyed was the well equipt kitchen which meant we could eat in.There is nothing to fault the hotel is beautifully designed and well appointed.
Jane EnterJane Enter
09:23 06 Aug 22
This is a wonderful place. Historic beautifully renovated building, tastefully appointed and elegant. Great heated outdoor pool, pet friendly and walking distance to all of James streets restaurants and those of New Farm. It was comfortable and had thoughtful touches such as delicious honey, lovely teas and quality linen. Definitely returning.
Hannah LeserHannah Leser
02:13 21 Jun 22
We had a wonderful stay at Miss Midgley’s. The location was perfect and the apartments are both cool and elegant making for a very fun and comfortable stay. Beds are also to die for!
Merran MorrisonMerran Morrison
03:47 20 Jun 22
Loved this place. Superbly designed and fitted out, displaying an eye to quality in all the details which make for a special experience. Wish we had had more time to hang out there. Alas, the attractions of James St kept us out and about.
Brent SavageBrent Savage
02:14 20 Jun 22
Hidden gem tucked just down the road from all the best restaurants, shopping and cafes! The owners have done a beautiful job restoring this historic building. Perfect for a few days in Brisbane. We will be back!!
Robyn CoplandRobyn Copland
08:42 28 Mar 22
We were privileged to be the first guests ever booked into Mis Midgley's. Our stay in the Refectory was very enjoyable despite the rain. Our daughter and 2 dogs were welcomed as much as we were. This is high quality boutique accommodation. Lisa the owner welcomed us and the staff were excellent and readily available, particularly James, who even gave us a beautiful jar of honey to try. The rooms were very comfortable and extremely clean and well appointed. We enjoyed a swim in the lovely pool every day. We recommend Miss Midgley's to anyone. Robyn and Ian
Luc ShorterLuc Shorter
03:02 16 Mar 22
My partner and I stayed for a week at Miss Midgley’s and from start to finish it was an outstanding experience. The renovation of the building has struck the perfect balance between accentuating the beauty of its historical features and providing all the modern conveniences and comforts. I was really impressed with the attention to detail and this was explained when I discovered that the owner and her daughter partnered on the project and that they’re both architects. Their effort and expertise is evident in the finished product. It’s a space that is a real delight to spend time in. Despite being the first guests in our apartment nothing had been overlooked and our interactions with the owners (who were staying in house at the time) were lovely - so kind and considerate. The history of the building is fascinating and you can read about it in a book they have had put together. Finally, the team managing our stay (Aaron and Nicole) were brilliant - responsive and clear in their communications. I would/will definitely stay here again and have no hesitation recommending it if you feel like treating yourself to something special; something with the trifecta of character, history and comfort.
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