Empire Hotel, Queenstown facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Empire Hotel |
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Empire Hotel-Queenstown, Tasmania built by Miguel Parer 1901
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| General information | |
| Status | renovated |
| Location | 2 Orr Street Queenstown, Tasmania |
| Coordinates | 42°04′50″N 145°33′20″E / 42.08056°N 145.55556°E |
| Completed | 1901 |
The Empire Hotel is a famous old building in Queenstown, Tasmania, Australia. It has two stories and a lot of history. You can find it on the corner of Orr and Driffield Streets. It's special because it's still open today, unlike many other old hotels nearby. It was finished in 1901 and is considered a very important heritage building.
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Building the Empire Hotel
The Empire Hotel was built by James Wilson. He came from a town called Zeehan. The hotel was built for two people named Parer and Higgins. They were the ones who planned and paid for the building.
The hotel was first known as "The New Empire Hotel." For many years, it was owned and run by Michael Parer. The hotel used to have yearly checks by a special court. This court made sure the hotel followed all the rules for its inside and outside.
A Special Staircase
One of the most amazing parts of the Empire Hotel is its staircase. It is so special that it is listed by the National Trust. This means it is protected because of its historical importance.
The staircase is made from a beautiful wood called Tasmanian Blackwood. What's really interesting is how it was made. The raw wood was first sent all the way to England. There, skilled workers carved it into the beautiful shapes you see today. After that, the carved wood was shipped back to Queenstown. Finally, it was put together inside the hotel.
Who Owned the Empire Hotel?
The company Parer & Higgins built the hotel. It was owned by John Arthur Parer and William Higgins. They licensed the hotel to Michael Parer. The Parer family owned several hotels in Queenstown and the nearby Zeehan area.
Michael's younger brother, John Parer, later owned the Empire Hotel. He sold it in April 1925 to Mr. Thomas Cook. Mr. Cook had been running the hotel for nine years before he bought it.
The Parer Family's Hotel Business
Michael, Francis, and John Parer were part of a company called Parer Bros Pty Ltd. This company built and ran many hotels, baths, and cafes. They had businesses in Tasmania, King Island, and Victoria. Some of their famous places included Parer's Crystal Cafe in Melbourne.
After his time in Queenstown, Michael Parer leased other hotels. He even had a hotel called The Parer Hotel, which was shipped from Tasmania to Currie on King Island. Michael had a big dream to open "Empire Hotels" all across Australia. The Queenstown hotel was the very first one.
Famous Family Connections
The Parer family has some famous relatives.
- Michael Parer's second son was Ray Parer, a well-known aviator.
- John Arthur Parer's youngest son was Damien Parer, a famous war photographer.
- Damien Parer's son is David Parer, a well-known wildlife filmmaker.
- William Higgins' great-granddaughter is the popular singer Missy Higgins.
