In 1853 Hobbs commissioned Andrew Petrie to build a two-storey house on a hill overlooking the river.

On 10 December 1859, the proclamation creating the colony of Queensland was read by civil servant Abram Orpen Moriarty on the first floor balcony of Adelaide House where he was sworn in as Governor by Judge Alfred Lutwyche.

[1] In the 1880s excavations for the extension of Adelaide Street destroyed Dr Hobbs's garden and left the house close to the steep cutting, prompting the family to move in 1883.

[1] This two storey residence with attic has external walls of 600-millimetre (24 in) thick random Brisbane tuff with sandstone facings.

The original entry, which now faces the sheer drop to Adelaide Street has a freestone pilastered entrance porch, flanked by two Doric columns at the front.

[1] The house has a high degree of integrity internally, despite alterations to room layouts at various stages which involved both the removal and additions of walls and doors.

[1] The place has a special association with the life or work of a particular person, group or organisation of importance in Queensland's history.

The Deanery is significant for its association with Dr Hobbs, a prominent medical figure in nineteenth century Queensland.