"Tooronga" Residence

'Tooronga', reputedly built c 1856 for John Dennis, produce merchant, is an interesting early victorian era town house, erectedi n the most prestigious residential area of era 1850-80 and centred on Latrobe Terrace. The history of this structure and its occupants remains virtually unrecorded. The design is reminiscent of Colonial Regency architecture of teh 1840's. The unusually detailed decorated timber verandah and upper floor balustrade is the most distinctive feature of this building, which was used by A.W. Kearney as his 'University School' in the 1880's.

References

Geelong Freeway Action Committee. Freeway Threat to Historic Highway - Ken jenkin Print, Geelong, 1973.

National Trust of Australia (Victoria), file no 1188.

Geelong Advertiser 14th February 1856 'Tenders for Carpenters and bricklayers to erect a brick building. Plans etc. at Dennis and Osborne Malop Street Geelong' may possibly be for erection 'Tooronga' in Latrobe Terrace.

'Tooronga' requires further investigation to establish teh architectural origins and historical associations of this visually interesting building.

Group

Commercial

Category

Office building