Bristol Arms Hotel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bristol Arms Hotel |
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Bristol Arms Hotel in 2010
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| Location | 81 Sussex Street, Sydney central business district, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | c. 1898 |
| Architectural style(s) | Federation Free Classical |
| Official name: Welcome Inn Hotel; Bristol Arms Hotel | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 408 |
| Type | Inn/Tavern |
| Category | Commercial |
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The Bristol Arms Hotel is a very old and special building in Sydney, Australia. It's a heritage-listed pub, which means it's protected because of its history. You can find it at 81 Sussex Street in the heart of Sydney. It was also known as the Welcome Inn Hotel for some time. This historic place was officially added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999.
Contents
A Look Back at the Bristol Arms Hotel's History
Early Days and First People
The land around Sydney was originally home to the Eora people. This area is often called "Eora Country." Specifically, the Cadigal and Wangal groups of the Eora lived where the City of Sydney is today. Even though many changes happened when Europeans arrived, descendants of these first people still live in Sydney.
The Hotel's Beginnings
The area along Sussex Street was settled quite early. Records from 1860 show Henry Ash, a carpenter, living where the Bristol Arms Hotel now stands. The first Bristol Arms Hotel appeared in 1865-1866 at a different spot on Sussex Street. This street was very important. It connected the busy Darling Harbour waterfront, which had a large wharf, to the main town.
Changes Over Time
Around 1900, the government took control of this area. This happened after an outbreak of bubonic plague in Sydney. The land was then managed by different groups, including the Sydney Harbour Trust. The building we know today as the Bristol Arms Hotel was built around 1898. The older Bristol Arms Hotel was likely taken down around this time.
Many different people ran the hotel over the years. John Booth was the first recorded manager in 1865-1866. Later, from 1906 to 1908, Ellen Keyes ran the hotel, and it was called Keyes Hotel. But it soon went back to being the Bristol Arms. The building continued to be a hotel until 1969. At that point, it was taken over by the Department of Main Roads and became known as the Welcome Inn Hotel. Later, it returned to its original name, Bristol Arms.
In 1994, a four-story addition was built at the back of the hotel. Then, in 2013, the hotel had a big makeover. During this renovation, a cool rooftop bar was added for guests to enjoy.
What the Bristol Arms Hotel Looks Like
The Bristol Arms Hotel is a three-story building with a basement. It has a classic design style called Federation Free Classical. You'll notice a fancy cement railing at the top with an arched shape that shows the year it was built. The front and side walls are now smooth and covered. The main doors look original, but the ground floor doors and windows have been updated.
Inside, the bar area has been opened up. The bar itself was moved to one side, and a new opening was made in the back wall. This opening leads to the newer parts of the building. The newer section is made of concrete. The first floor of the old hotel was changed to fit an extra floor. The upper floors have been completely rebuilt. There are new stairs and a lift to help people move between the old and new parts of the building.
Why the Bristol Arms Hotel is Important
The Bristol Arms Hotel, also known as the Welcome Inn, is a special part of Sydney's history. It's built with bricks and has a classic design. It's important because it's one of many small hotels that offered places to stay and relax near the waterfront and city center.
The Bristol Arms is one of five hotels in Sydney built in this style. The others are the Metropolitan Hotel, the Harbour View Hotel, the Lismore, and the Ship Inn. It shows how hotels have continued to operate since the late 1800s. It also represents how the area changed after the Darling Harbour wharves were rebuilt. Even though parts of the building's outside have been changed, its classic design still shows the character of the area.
Heritage Listing
The Bristol Arms Hotel was officially added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. This means it's recognized as an important historical site that needs to be preserved.
