Meet Gooloowan: The Original Cribb

The house on the hill.

It was built in 1864 for Benjamin Cribb, an Ipswich merchant, politician, and co-founder of Cribb & Foote.

Originally, it was a red-brick, two-storey villa.

Charles Balding, the architect who also designed Normanby Homestead, gave it a mix of Georgian style and Victorian charm with wide verandahs, iron lacework, and French doors that catch the breeze.

Later, Cribb’s son James built Garowie (in nearby Eastern Heights), adding to the family’s mark on Ipswich.

Now rendered to resemble carved stone, Gooloowan sits proudly as one of the city’s most loved and recognisable landmarks.

History and Origins

• Benjamin Cribb acquired multiple blocks on Denmark Hill between 1862–1864 to create an estate of 11½ acres.
• Designed as a grand villa residence, setting a new architectural standard in Ipswich.
• Prominently sited for commanding views over Ipswich.
• Rapidly completed by mid-1864, showcasing efficiency and local craftsmanship.

Architecture and Design

“Gooloowan”: 1976 Pen and ink sketch by Dirk Blokland in his book Historic Ipswich

• Symmetrical two-storey brick structure with encircling verandahs and paired timber posts.
• Original face brick exterior later stuccoed to resemble stone.
• Cedar staircase, doors, window frames, and library cabinetry exemplify fine craftsmanship.
• Notably elegant yet restrained style, blending practicality with sophistication.
• Early adoption of indoor bathrooms (separate male/female), a significant luxury in the 1860s.
• Rare hand-operated lift installed at rear verandah.
• Ornate plaster ceilings, cornices, and marble mantelpieces imported from Italy.

Later Use and Heritage Listing

• Rendered exterior added late 19th century for weather protection and aesthetic appeal.
• Slate roof replaced early 20th century with galvanized iron due to practicality.
• Original stables demolished due to redundancy with the rise of motor vehicles.
• 1965 renovation plans by Karl Langer indicate minor modernizations considered.
• 1988 saw transition of ownership to the Isbell family, initiating careful preservation efforts.
• Buchanan Architects supervised sympathetic restorations in 1990.
• Heritage registration emphasizes preservation of original structural and aesthetic elements.

Modern Ownership and Renovations

• Conservatory addition at rear verandah, incorporating salvaged 19th-century stained-glass.
• Original fence and gates reconstructed based on historical evidence.
• Repainting done in historically appropriate colors determined by heritage studies.
• Maintenance of cedar joinery, original shutters, and cast-iron features prioritised.
• Added modern conveniences (like air-conditioning) carefully concealed within original structures.
• Virtual tours created to document and enhance public appreciation of the property.

Heritage Significance

• Historically significant for demonstrating affluent lifestyles and advanced home technologies of mid-19th century.
• Exceptional example of a grand Queensland villa, notable for size, intactness, and rarity of surviving early features (indoor plumbing, hand-operated lift).
• Representative of Charles Balding’s architectural achievements and climate-sensitive designs.
• Aesthetic significance through its picturesque siting, symmetrical form, and elegant proportions.
• Unmatched regional example of early upscale residential architecture, a landmark in Ipswich’s heritage landscape.