Australian Couple's 27-Room Fairytale Castle Project Remains Unfinished After 22 Years

An Australian couple who postponed their wedding until their dream home was finished has been waiting for the ceremony for 22 years, according to reports by ABC Australia and the magazine That's Life!. Christina Kent and Francis Shepherd purchased a five-acre property near Geeveston in Tasmania to build a structure known as Castle Phoenix. As reported, construction remains ongoing, with the 27-room, 17-metre-tall building still featuring only three of its eight planned turrets complete.

Project Origins and Approval

The project began after Christina and Francis met in Queensland. Francis, who worked as a tiler and sculptor, wanted to build a castle, and the pair became engaged within three weeks of meeting. Two years later, during a visit to Tasmania, they found a property featuring a small cottage and an orchard for just over A$200,000.

Obtaining permission required navigating local regulations, particularly concerning the proposed 17-metre height, which exceeded the standard eight-metre limit. According to the Castle Phoenix website, council approval was granted in late 2009, with building permission following in 2010. Funding relied on Christina selling her house in Queensland, a small loan, and income from Francis's tiling work.

Construction and Design Features

Official records indicate that excavation began in 2010, followed by extensive groundwork, including a basement extending three metres underground. According to Christina's account in That's Life!, approximately 100,000 bricks have been used, cut into about 300,000 pieces. The structure is estimated to weigh around 600 tonnes.

Key features of the property include:

• A basement with six rooms and underfloor heating
• An entrance area featuring hundreds of handmade ceramic flowers
• A sculpture garden, lake, and moat
• A balcony inspired by the fairytale character Rapunzel

Current Status and Verification

While exterior tiling and other works continue, major components remain incomplete. Francis began working on conical rooftops in 2023, and the couple reportedly hopes to install windows by 2027. Their wedding remains on hold until the project reaches completion.

• Location: Near Geeveston, Tasmania, Australia.
• Reporting Date: As published in recent media accounts referencing ABC Australia and That's Life!.
• Verification: Interested individuals can review official updates through the Castle Phoenix social media pages or public website statements.