Solicitor's Row, buildings (Bowman's office)

The two storey double office building known as Solicitors Row in Yarra Street, Geelong was probably erected in 1854 for entrepreneurial Solicitor Jon Alexander Gregory to Colonial Regency design by Architects Snell and Kawerau.

The building, one of a number of offices erected in the 1850s in Yarra Street has been extensively modified, although the original Regency details or restrained cornice, quoins, tuscan pilasters survive intact. The occupants are not clearly documented in detail. The building is part of a surviving group of nineteenth century

Geelong Regional Commission Register.

Brownhill, W. R. - A History of Geelong and Corio Bay, Wilke & Co., Melbourne, 1955, pp. 106, for a detailed history of Sladen & Martyn, Solicitors and subsequent partnership.

Geelong Advertiser - 24 April 1854 - Snelland Kawerau call tenders for new office of John A Gregory.

Geelong Advertiser - 3 January 1850

HM Garrard, surveyor removes office to that of Mr Gregory (Solicitor) Market Square 2 doors above the Bank of Australiasia.

Geelong Advertiser - 11 December, 1863

Jacob Pitman architect calls tenders for sundry repairs to premises Martyr, Taylor and Buckland. (this may not be the subject building as several solicitors had offices in this section of Yarra Street).

General Law Title search - record of increase in consideration from ₤165 to ₤8000 in 1854.

The history of this property required detailed investigation and should include title searches, rate book examination and search of company records.

John A Gregory built 'Barwon Bank' in 1853-55 and became insolvent in c1856. for more details re Gregory see 'Barwon Bank' documentation sheet.

Group

Commercial

Category

Office building