Gooloowan, Heritage villa in Ipswich, Australia
Gooloowan is a two-story brick mansion on Quarry Street defined by verandahs on both levels, supported by timber posts and decorated with cast-iron balustrading. The residence preserves its original layout with nine bedrooms, formal dining room, library, and period bathrooms.
Benjamin Cribb, an English immigrant who founded London Stores in Ipswich, commissioned architect Charles Balding to build Gooloowan in 1864. The property became a symbol of early Queensland merchant prosperity.
The mansion displays 19th-century upper-class living through its formal dining room, library with cedar panels, and nine bedrooms that reflect wealthy merchant households. Original bathrooms and imported Italian marble mantelpieces show the luxury these successful traders enjoyed.
The property is accessed via a circular driveway that leads to the main entrance, providing a clear view of the exterior features. Visitors should be aware that interior spaces remain historically preserved and require appropriate care.
The property features a rare hand-operated lift system, showcasing the innovation of wealthy late 19th-century households. This feature is seldom preserved in private homes today and makes the residence particularly noteworthy.
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