28 Jul 2026
The Geelong College has bought Newtown education landmark Bostock House from Geelong Grammar in a deal believed to be worth close to $6m.
The move paves the way for the private school to expand across Noble St with a new learning precinct opposite its senior campus.
The college already owns a neighbouring 2766sq m property on the corner of Stinton Ave which it bought for $3.85m in 2017 with a view to future growth.
The newly acquired Bostock House site, at 139 Noble St, adds another 4109sq m to its landholdings.
The school will reopen the Geelong Grammar’s former early learning centre as an educational precinct in the short term, while it revisits its master plan to incorporate the historic property.
The Geelong College principal Simon Young said the purchase reflected the school’s commitment to investing in educational excellence and thoughtful future planning.
“This is an exciting day in the history of The Geelong College,” he said.
“Bostock House is a landmark property with a rich educational heritage, and we are delighted that it will continue to serve the educational needs of our community.
“When considered alongside the neighbouring land already owned by the college, this acquisition presents a remarkable opportunity to reimagine our senior campus for the future.
“It provides flexibility of both immediate needs and long-term strategic development.”
He noted that any future plans would respect the character and heritage of Bostock House, which began life in 1916 as a private villa for then Geelong mayor Edward George Gurr and has operated as a school since the 1950s.
Geelong Grammar acquired the site in 1997 but closed the doors at the end of term 1 when students from the early years through to grade 4 relocated to a newly built junior school at its Corio campus.
Darcy Jarman agents Andrew Prowse and Tim Darcy marketed the Newtown property on behalf of the elite private school.
While the sale price remains confidential, industry sources suggest it exceeded the $5m quoted range.
Mr Prowse said Bostock House attracted strong interest from a diverse range of owner-occupiers and developers throughout the campaign.
“Offers were received from multiple local education groups, aged care providers and early learning operators,” he said.
It is a fantastic outcome for all involved and will enable Geelong College to continue expanding and enriching its educational footprint in Newtown.”