Sale of musical family's home

Ray and Jenny Gordon reliving memories at their Ewingsdale home, which is on the market.

Cathy Adams

WHEN Jenny and Ray Gordon decided to build their house at Ewingsdale, they didn't know it would be home to one of the region's most famous musical acts.

The family home, which began as a labour of love with its handcrafted windows, doors and deck, provided hardcore band Parkway Drive with a musical sanctuary where they could compose, perform and hang out.

Now the band – including Mr and Mrs Gordon's drum-playing son Ben – are all grown up and the large five-bedroom Parkway House is feeling rather empty.

“The general plan was to build the house and when the kids moved on we would downsize, but it has justtaken a little bit longer,” Mrs Gordon said.

“We are reluctant to sell, but only because of the mem-ories and good times we've had here. It is iconic because of the band.”

Unique Estates at Bangalow is managing the property, which Mr Gordon built from the ‘ground up' after the couple bought the block of land 18 years ago.

Since then the house has provided a space for Parkway Drive to launch their career, acting as a practice space, a mini-concert venue and a home away from home for visiting overseas bands.

Mrs Gordon reflected on one of the many times the sound-proof bottom level of the house was full with fans rocking out as Parkway Drive played live.

“All the band members have their own houses now and they have moved on,” she said.

“They will hardly be in the country for the next two to three years and we have been keeping it available for them.

“It is the end of an era for us and them, but we have a few things we want to do, liketravel around Australia.”

According to RP Data, the average price for a house in the Byron Bay local government area increased by 7.7 per cent since last year, with the median sale price last month being $567,500.