Laurelbank

Laurelbank is a Victorian mansion with sandstone foundations and slate roof located on Penshurst Street in Willoughby, New South Wales. The building features decorative iron columns along its verandahs and now serves as a function center while maintaining its original gardens with laurel trees and jacarandas.

The property originated from a land grant given to John Stirling in the 1850s, with the current brick structure built by contractor Joseph Griffiths. The site was converted to a Masonic Centre in 1965, transitioning from private residence to a public-use venue.

The name comes from the laurel trees that once defined the gardens and still grow here today. Visitors can trace how the landscape reflected the tastes and lifestyle of its Victorian residents.

The building currently operates as a function center, so access may vary depending on scheduled events and private bookings. When visiting, look for the preserved external features and take time to walk through the original garden areas if they are open to the public.

The original stable buildings still stand behind the main house, featuring the same Victorian Italianate details as the mansion itself. These outbuildings reveal how the entire property was designed as a unified architectural composition.