Australian Hotel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Australian Hotel |
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
The Australian Hotel in 2014
|
|
| Location | 100-104 Cumberland Street, The Rocks, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1914–1915 |
| Owner | Property NSW |
| Official name: Australian Hotel | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 10 May 2002 |
| Reference no. | 1528 |
| Type | Hotel |
| Category | Commercial |
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
The Australian Hotel is a historic building located at The Rocks in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It was built between 1914 and 1915. Today, it is owned by Property NSW and is recognized on the New South Wales State Heritage Register since May 10, 2002. This hotel is a great example of early 20th-century architecture and shows how buildings in The Rocks area have changed over time.
Contents
History of the Australian Hotel
Early Days of The Rocks
The area where the Australian Hotel stands has a long history. People were building on this spot as early as the 1820s. It's even possible that early settlers from the First Fleet camped here in 1788. By the 1840s, terrace houses, which are rows of connected homes, stood on this site. These houses remained until the hotel was built in 1914.
Moving the Hotel
The first Australian Hotel was actually located at 116 Cumberland Street. Its owner was John Murray. In 1907, plans were made to change the layout of Cumberland Street, which meant the original hotel had to be torn down.
In 1911, John Murray asked to build a new hotel. A new spot was chosen at the corner of Cumberland Street and Gloucester Street. Murray was given a lease for this new hotel in 1912. However, before construction began, the lease was given to a company called Resch's Ltd.
Building the New Hotel
The old residential buildings on the new site were demolished by 1914. Construction of the new Australian Hotel was finished by the end of that year. On May 8, 1914, the local council approved the plans. The new building was two storeys tall, made of brick, and had an iron roof. It also included a basement and two shops. One shop faced Cumberland Street and was used as a grocery store.
Changes Over the Years
In 1915, Resch's Ltd rented the hotel to John Upjohn, who managed it for many years. In 1931, Resch's Ltd joined with another company, Tooth & Co. Ltd, and they took over the lease. John Upjohn continued to be the manager until 1939.
The hotel saw some updates over time. The ground floor was renovated in 1948, and the roof was replaced in 1955. When the 50-year lease ended in 1963, Tooth & Co. Ltd continued to rent the hotel month-to-month. In 1968, the hotel and its surrounding area came under the care of the Sydney Cove Redevelopment Authority.
From 1929 to 1974, the building had only small changes. Then, in 1991-1992, a big project was done to restore the hotel. A fire had damaged the Cumberland Street shop, so it was rebuilt. The hotel also received important safety upgrades. The public rooms on the ground floor were refurbished, and the outside of the building was repainted in its original 1920s colours.
Today, the hotel is known as the "Australian Heritage Hotel" and continues to welcome visitors.
What Does the Hotel Look Like?
The Australian Hotel is a two-storey building with a basement. It was designed in a style called Italianate, which means it has features inspired by Italian Renaissance architecture. The outside is made of brick, and the roof is covered with iron.
Many of the hotel's original parts are still there. These include the saloon bar, special etched glass signs, and decorative pressed metal ceilings. The site also has important archaeological remains underground. These remains are mostly undisturbed and offer clues about the area's past.
Why is it a Heritage Site?
The Australian Hotel is very important for its history and scientific value in New South Wales. It's also a key part of The Rocks area, which is famous for its heritage. The hotel is recognized by the National Trust and the National Estate, showing how much it is valued.
A Place for the Community
The hotel has always been a social hub. It traditionally served as a meeting place for working people in The Rocks. Even today, it continues to be a place for both local residents and tourists to gather.
A Glimpse into the Past
The Australian Hotel is a great example of the public houses built in The Rocks since the early days of the colony. It shows how social habits and drinking customs have changed over time. Most hotels from this period have been changed a lot, making the Australian Hotel quite special because it is still so original.
Designed for its Time
The hotel's design and location reflect a special plan from 1903. This plan aimed to improve health and living conditions in The Rocks after a plague outbreak in 1900. The hotel stands out on its corner spot at Cumberland and Gloucester Streets.
The building itself is a beautiful example of Edwardian architecture, known for its good quality materials and details. The fact that it combines a hotel and shops in one design, and has a two-level bar, shows how cleverly it was built to suit the site and the community's needs back then.
Hidden History Underground
Beneath the hotel, there are important archaeological remains from before the hotel was built. These include rock-cut features and foundations from the residential neighbourhood that existed until about 1910. These findings, along with those from nearby sites, help us understand the early community in Sydney and New South Wales.
See Also
Images for kids
-
The Australian Hotel in 2014
