Connection to the past.

A sketch of the historic double height factory building circa 1927, standing alone on the site. The words “Geelong Glass Works Ltd” on the roof, match the design prepared by local architect I.G Anderson. This built form will remain as the site evolves into The Bottleworks. 

The site features a unique example of 1920s industrial architecture coupled with the historical associations of Dennys Lascelles, a prominent Geelong wool broking firm.

Although the site was initially planned as part of the surrounding ‘Garden Estate’ residential community, in 1914 Edwin Bruce and James McClure of Bruce and McClure (agricultural implement and windmill manufacturers, Warrnambool), purchased one acre, three roods and sixteen perches of land in South Geelong bound by Fitzroy, Carr, and Forrest Streets – now known as 135 Fitzroy Street. The land was chosen for its proximity to the South Geelong Railway Station, with their business in Warrnambool having been thwarted by freight charges on materials.

In 1920, the site was acquired by United Glassworks Ltd. Local architect I.G. Anderson prepared plans for a glass manufacturing complex comprising three buildings. By 1927, only the northern building was completed when the site was acquired for use by Dennys Lascelles Ltd, a local wool broking firm. 

Most of the site, other than the double storey original factory building, consists of a series of sheds built to the site boundaries. These sheds were constructed progressively after 1938 and before 1952 for the purpose of storing an overflow of wool.

During World War II, it is thought that the sheds may have been utilised as emergency housing for American soldiers based at Queenscliff Fort.

Since the early 1980s the site has been owned and operated by local businessman John Dillon and family as ‘The Big Shed’ – a well-known timber furniture outlet in Geelong.