Central Hotel, Cairns facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Central Hotel |
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Central Hotel, 2010
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| Location | 39 - 49 Lake Street, Cairns, Cairns Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1900 - 1914 (early 20th century) |
| Built | 1908 - 1909 |
| Architect | Tunbridge, Tunbridge & Lynch |
| Architectural style(s) | Art Nouveau |
| Official name: Central Court, Central Building, Central Hotel | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600379 |
| Significant period | 1900s (fabric) 1909-1988 (historical use) |
| Significant components | tower, shop/s |
| Builders | W Phillips |
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The Central Hotel is a special building in Cairns, Queensland, Australia. It used to be a grand hotel but is now a busy shopping centre. This building is very old and important, so it's listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. This means it's protected because of its history and unique design. It was built between 1908 and 1909.
Contents
A Look Back: The Central Hotel's Story
This two-storey building was built in 1908-1909. A Cairns businessman named William John Munro owned the land. Before the hotel, there were smaller shops and even a bank branch on this spot.
Who Was William John Munro?
William John Munro was born around 1864 in New Zealand. He moved to Queensland in the early 1880s. He was a very successful businessman. He owned large farms and a meat company in North Queensland. He also had interests in sugar, mining, and real estate. People liked him a lot. He was even the chairman of the Cairns Shire Council from 1898 until he passed away in 1912.
Designing a Grand Building
Munro hired a famous architecture firm called Tunbridge, Tunbridge & Lynch. They had offices in North Queensland and Melbourne. Their job was to design the Central building. It was planned to have a hotel, shops, and offices. This firm also designed other important buildings in Cairns around that time.
The Hotel's Early Days
When it was finished, the Central Hotel was considered very fancy. It was one of the most impressive buildings in Cairns. Guests could enjoy great views of Trinity Inlet and the nearby hills. The hotel was also easy to see for people arriving by ship. Its name, "Central," was perfect because it was in the new main part of Cairns. Other important buildings were built nearby around the same time.
A builder named W Phillips constructed the hotel. The ground floor had a bar and sitting rooms. The first floor had a large verandah, a dining room, a kitchen, and 27 guest bedrooms. There were also rooms for the hotel manager and staff. The dining room was special with a domed roof. It could seat 100 people!
James Watters was the first person to manage the Central Hotel. He started in 1909. He and his wife made it one of the best hotels in Far North Queensland. They especially welcomed travelers and visitors.
Changes Over Time
The Munro family owned the property until 1959. The hotel stayed mostly the same for many years. In 1975, the inside of the ground floor was updated. Some changes were also made to the first floor.
Then, in 1988, a company called Fricker Developments changed the building a lot. They turned it into a shopping centre. The ground floor became 17 shops. The first floor became a fun place with lounges, bars, and a restaurant. Even with these big changes inside, the beautiful outside of the building stayed the same. It is still a well-known landmark in Cairns.
What the Central Hotel Looks Like Now
The Central Court building is on the corner of Lake and Spence Streets. It is a two-storey building made of brick or stone covered in plaster. It has verandahs on both sides that face the streets.
Unique Design Features
The building shows styles from Art Nouveau and Federation architecture. These styles were popular when it was built. The top of the building has decorative walls called parapets. They make the skyline look interesting. There are round towers with domes and curved gables. A special round tower with a dome is on the corner. The words "THE CENTRAL HOTEL" are written on the front in raised letters.
The verandahs have wooden posts. The first-floor verandah has curved wooden brackets and a wavy edge. It has a metal roof and a metal railing. The ground floor verandah has decorative lattice panels. Both verandahs have an open space in the middle with a wooden railing.
Inside the Building Today
The inside of the building has been changed a lot. The ground floor has an L-shaped shopping arcade. You can enter from both Lake and Spence Streets. There's a big eating area in the middle. A central staircase goes up under a windowed roof called a clerestory skylight.
The first floor now has a nightclub at one end and a restaurant at the other. Both have doors that open onto the verandah. One corner of the first floor has been closed off to create office space.
Why the Central Hotel is a Heritage Site
The Central Court was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992. This means it's recognized as an important part of Queensland's history and culture.
Showing History's Path
The building helps us understand how Cairns grew. It was part of a big project in the early 1900s. This project changed the area around Lake and Spence Streets. It made this area the new main business centre of Cairns.
Beautiful and Important Design
People in Cairns value the building's look. Its size, shape, and materials make the streets and the whole town look special. The decorative tops and verandahs are very beautiful and still in great condition. It's also a well-known landmark that people easily recognize.
Connected to Important People
The Central Hotel is linked to important people in Queensland's history. It's connected to William John Munro, who was a key businessman and local leader in Cairns. It also shows the great work of the architectural firm Tunbridge, Tunbridge & Lynch, who designed many important buildings in North Queensland.
Images for kids
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Central Hotel in Cairns, 1932
