Cliffbrook, University research building in Coogee, Australia
Cliffbrook is a two-story mansion in Coogee built with sandstone quoins and red brick, featuring colonnades, a slate roof, and stone walls surrounding the property. The building sits within a defined perimeter marked by the boundary stonework that encloses the entire grounds.
The building was constructed in 1921 by Sir Denison Miller, the first Governor of the Commonwealth Bank, on land originally granted to surveyor Lewis Gordon in 1845. This connection between early land ownership and later financial prominence shaped the site's development.
The mansion displays a blend of design elements from different periods: Georgian maple staircases, Art Deco windows, Victorian marble fireplaces, and Adam Revival plaster ceilings. These features reflect the refined taste and wealth typical of early 20th-century homes for the upper classes.
The building is currently operated by the University of New South Wales as an administrative center and research facility. Visitors should note that this is an active academic workspace and prior arrangement is needed to explore the site.
During World War II, the Australian military commandeered the property and transformed it into a school of tropical medicine for army personnel. This wartime repurposing left marks on the building that speak to its role beyond civilian use.
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