Old Geelong Grammar School

by AF

Old Geelong Grammar School
$2,100,000

The former Geelong Grammar School is a Tudor Gothic style building dating from 1857-1858. It was designed by architects Backhouse and Reynolds and built of rendered bluestone and basalt.

The school went bankrupt only two years after completion, but was reopened in 1863. The school eventually moved to a new 400 acre site at Corio and the building was sold to the Geelong City Council in 1914. The Council had planned to convert it into a town hall, but the onset of WWI led to the land being subdivided and sold off.

The building was originally much grander in scale and had four wings. The west entrance wing was demolished in 1916 and the north wing was demolished in 1960. The remaining south (originally containing the principal’s residence) and east wings were converted into a guest house called the Dysart Private Hotel.

The eastern side of the building before and after the exterior renovations in 1979.

In 1961, it was converted into the Reformed Theological College. The property is currently used as a private residence.

Renovation work in 1979.

The eastern side of the building before and after the exterior renovations in 1979.

The 47-room building is listed on the Victoria Heritage Register and National Trust. There is also a Californian style caretakers cottage on the 2100 sqm grounds.

An etching by Victor Cobb in 1930

For Sale

The house was first offered for sale by expressions of interest in June 2011. In mid-2012 the building was reported to have sold to a mystery local buyer for an undisclosed price. Settlement was due in November 2012. The previous asking price was $2.45 million.

The house has since been re-listed in April 2013 for $2,100,000.