Barrier Reef Hotel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Barrier Reef Hotel |
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Barrier Reef Hotel, 1995
|
|
| Location | Abbott Street, Cairns, Cairns Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1919 - 1930s (interwar period) |
| Built | 1926 |
| Architect | Lawrence and Lordan in conjunction with Richard Hall |
| Official name: Barrier Reef Hotel, Empire Hotel | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 29 July 1997 |
| Reference no. | 601608 |
| Significant period | 1920s (fabric) 1926-ongoing (historical use) |
| Builders | Carl Peter Jorgensen |
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
The Barrier Reef Hotel is a historic building in Cairns, Queensland, Australia. It's a two-story hotel made of strong concrete. It was built in 1926 and was originally known as the Empire Hotel. The hotel was designed by architects Lawrence and Lordan with Richard Hill. Carl Peter Jorgensen built it. Today, it is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register because of its important history.
Contents
A Look Back: The Hotel's Story
The Barrier Reef Hotel, once called the Empire Hotel, was built in 1926. It was made for a company called PJ Doyle Ltd, which sold wine and spirits. The building replaced an older Empire Hotel that had been there since 1898.
Where It All Began: Cairns' Early Days
The hotel is located at a very important spot in Cairns. This corner of Abbott and Wharf Streets was where the town of Cairns officially began. In the late 1800s, this area was the main business and government part of Cairns. It had offices, warehouses, shipping companies, and many hotels. These hotels served local workers and travelers arriving by ship.
Over time, Cairns grew into a major port for sugar. Many of the old 19th-century buildings were replaced. The Barrier Reef Hotel and the nearby Jack and Newell Building are some of the few remaining buildings from that early waterfront era.
Why a New Hotel Was Built
In 1925, the local licensing court said the first Empire Hotel building was too old. They said it had to be knocked down and replaced with a new brick or concrete building. PJ Doyle Ltd decided to build a new, stronger hotel. This showed they believed Cairns would continue to grow and be successful.
Building the new Empire Hotel, which cost a lot of money, was a sign of confidence in Cairns. The city was becoming a very important regional center. The port of Cairns was bringing in much more money. New wharf facilities were also planned and built around this time. Cairns was developing quickly, and its city center was largely rebuilt in the 1920s and 1930s.
Building the New Empire Hotel
Work on the new Empire Hotel started in April 1926. Carl Peter Jorgensen from Cairns was the builder. The hotel was ready for business by February 1927. The ground floor had a public bar, a dining room, a kitchen, and a shop. The first floor had many bedrooms and bathrooms. It was a simple hotel, mostly for business people and workers.
During the 1930s, many travelers stayed at the hotel. During World War II, the Royal Australian Air Force used part of the hotel from 1943 to 1945.
Changes Over Time
In 1938, the hotel's ownership changed to Northern Australian Breweries Ltd. However, PJ Doyle Wines & Spirits Pty Ltd still had a close connection to the hotel for many years.
The Empire Hotel was always popular with workers from the nearby wharves. It's said that in the 1950s, when sugar workers were busy day and night, the Empire Hotel stayed open 24 hours a day!
In May 1960, the hotel's name was changed to the Barrier Reef Hotel. This change might have been because the prawning and fishing industries were growing in Cairns. The hotel is still open and operating today.
What the Hotel Looks Like
The Barrier Reef Hotel is on the corner of Wharf and Abbott Streets in Cairns. Its shape fits the unique corner where the city's streets meet the water. The building is made of strong reinforced concrete. It has timber floors and a corrugated iron roof. The windows and doors are made of timber.
Outside Features
The hotel has two stories and a wide verandah (a covered porch) along both Wharf and Abbott Streets. The verandah is supported by strong timber posts. It has a simple slatted balustrade (a railing) on the first floor.
The top of the building has a decorative wall called a parapet. This wall has a heavy cornice (a decorative molding) with a dentil course (small block-like decorations). The back of the building is plainer.
The walls have many windows that show where the rooms are inside. Some of the windows have been changed over time. The main entrance door on Wharf Street has also been replaced.
Inside the Hotel
The ground floor of the hotel has been changed over the years to fit modern needs. It now has a restaurant kitchen, a restaurant, a public bar, and bathrooms.
The main staircase to the first floor is still in its original spot. It has simple details from when the hotel was built. The first floor still has its original layout, with many single rooms along narrow hallways. The ceilings are plain with wooden battens.
The Barrier Reef Hotel really stands out on both Abbott and Wharf Streets.
Next to the hotel, there's a smaller, single-story building with a gable roof. This building is used as a TAB (Totalisator Agency Board, for betting). This newer building is not considered part of the hotel's historic importance.
Why It's a Heritage-Listed Building
The Barrier Reef Hotel was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on July 29, 1997. This means it's considered an important part of Queensland's history and culture.
Showing History's Story
The hotel helps us understand how Cairns grew and changed in the years between the two World Wars. During this time, Cairns went from a small town to a modern city. The building also shows how architects and builders in Cairns used strong reinforced concrete. This material was good for a tropical area that could have cyclones.
A Special and Rare Place
The Barrier Reef Hotel is one of only two buildings left that show the important connection between the businesses near the wharves and the port itself. It's a great example of a large hotel from that time that served local workers.
A Good Example of Its Kind
The hotel is a clear example of a historic hotel that catered mainly to working people. It shows the typical features of such buildings from the interwar period in Cairns.
Beautiful and Important to the Street
The building looks impressive and adds a lot to the appearance of both Abbott and Wharf Streets.
Important to the Community
The Barrier Reef Hotel has a strong connection to the people of Cairns. It reminds them of the early, busy business area that grew because of the port. It also represents Cairns' growth as an important port in Queensland.
