The Deanery, Brisbane

The Deanery is a historic residential building in Brisbane featuring distinctive walls of pink porphyry stone, sandstone facings, and a pyramidal hipped roof with dormer windows. Located at 417 Ann Street, it displays the solid construction methods of the 1800s, complete with original fireplaces, timber joinery, and covered outdoor spaces.

The building was constructed in 1853 by architect Andrew Petrie as a residence for Dr. William Hobbs. In 1859, it gained historical significance when Sir George Bowen used the first-floor balcony to make an important colonial proclamation.

The building functioned as a private home before the Anglican Church took it over in 1899 to serve as an ecclesiastical institute. You can sense how the wealthy lived in the 1800s and how the church later adapted the space for community purposes.

You can view the building from the street and examine its 19th-century architectural features, including the distinctive stone walls and elaborate roof structure. Walking around the Ann Street area lets you see several historical properties nearby, offering a good sense of Brisbane's early urban development.

The Deanery is one of Brisbane's oldest surviving residences, built just years after the city was founded. Its pink porphyry walls and detailed stonework were quite rare in the region at that time, reflecting the wealth and care of its original owner.