Old School Cool: Inside Miss Midgley’s Heritage Hotel

Fancy a getaway in a heritage building that was once a hospital, an orphanage AND a school in a previous life? Despite what your initial answer may be, it will quickly become a resounding ‘yes please!’ when it comes to Miss Midgley’s. One of Brisbane/Meanjin’s best-kept secrets, in the highly sought after inner-city suburb of New Farm, this beautiful boutique hotel comes with a side of sustainability – and many stories.

PHOTOS: KELLEY SHEENAN

Originally built 160 years ago, the space has been given a new lease on life by architects and mother-daughter duo Lisa and Isabella White. While the building has been extensively renovated with contemporary finishes and modern aesthetics, Lisa and Isabella went to extraordinary lengths to preserve and celebrate the eccentricity and historical details of the building.

The house has been through many iterations and names, from a temporary orphanage in 1867 known as Cairncross House, to a tenanted house and private hospital through the 1870s to 1890s called St Clair. In 1903, James and Elizabeth Midgley bought the property, and moved in with their 14 children. One daughter, Annie, opened a private school at their new home to help support the family and 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. Legend has it that she was ambidextrous, could instruct two pupils at the same time and write with both hands simultaneously. She painted in oils and water colours, modelled plaster busts and took up wood carving. Apparently loved by her students, Annie was meticulously dressed with collars buttoned up the neck and high lace-up boots. After Annie’s death in 1943, the property stayed in the family for a couple more years before being on-sold. By this stage it had been converted to small apartments, known as the ‘Pink Flats’.  

Lisa and Isabella became the new owners in early 2021 and worked meticulously to transform the neglected heritage building into a boutique guesthouse. It’s now a perfect balance of stunning design-led features juxtaposed with touches of original details – many that were discovered and unveiled in the renovating process. “A heritage property possesses value on multiple levels,” says Lisa. “Firstly, it is a council requirement to preserve the heritage component of buildings like this. Secondly, the historical value of this building was crucial as we intended to establish a commercial business here, and it was our distinctive selling point.” 

Amongst the modern bronze fixtures, locally-created artworks and stylish interiors are pops of exposed brickwork, tones of dusky pink and terracotta and vintage school desks. The five apartments are named after its schoolhouse days – such as the Principal’s Office, Locker Room or Assembly Hall. “Inviting guests to embark on a historical journey with us during their stay was always intended to be the enjoyable and uplifting aspect of delivering this building as a boutique hotel,” Lisa explains.  

Sustainability wasn’t just an afterthought either, it was part of the plan from the beginning. “The sustainable features of this building are primarily and significantly the repurposing of an existing structure. This is the most crucial aspect”, says Lisa. “On a smaller scale, we have installed solar panels and batteries. The in-house consumables include refillable toiletries, recycled paper for tissues and toilet paper, loose-leaf tea (without teabags), and mindful reduction of laundry, such as not providing robes and avoiding useless and excessive disposable hotel room items.”

So put down those pens – it’s time for recess: a break at Miss Midgley’s needs to be on your Brisbane holiday or staycation wishlist. The rooms are even pet-friendly, and that lush courtyard pool – A+! Need more reasons? Lisa has plenty. “Guests would enjoy the charm of a neighbourhood stay, immerse themselves in the ambiance of a thriving Brisbane suburb, and appreciate the unique character of our timeless building. They’ll find solace in the comfort of a repurposed and distinctive space that stands in stark contrast to impersonal and international hotels.” You’ve officially been summoned to the principal’s office – this time you won’t dilly dally!