George Hotel, Sydney facts for kids
Quick facts for kids George Hotel |
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George Hotel, 631 George Street, Sydney is a former hotel
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| Location | 631 George Street, Sydney, Australia |
| Official name: King George Hotel (former) and Haymarket Post Office | |
| Type | state heritage (complex / group) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 615 |
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The George Hotel is an old building in Sydney, Australia. It used to be a hotel. This building is special because it's listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register. This means it's an important part of history and needs to be protected.
Contents
A Look Back: The George Hotel's Story
The land where the George Hotel stands was first given out in 1831. Over the years, many different people owned and used the building.
Early Days and Name Changes
By 1866, Patrick and Mary O'Dowd owned the land. After Mary passed away, the building at 631 George Street was leased to George Barr. He opened the Haymarket Music Hall there.
Later, in 1891, plans were made to add two more floors to the building. This might be how the current building got its shape. You can still see differences between the lower and upper floors, like the columns and decorations.
The building changed names often. In 1898, it was called the Crescent Hotel. A year later, it became the Crescent Hotel and Coffee Palace. Between 1907 and 1916, it was known as the Crescent Hotel again. It had five different owners during this time!
In 1921, the building was changed to include shops on the ground floor. This happened because new rules made pubs close at 6 pm, which meant less business for them.
Becoming the George Hotel
On December 18, 1924, a company called Tooheys Limited took over the lease. They renamed the building the George Hotel. The name "George" likely came from the man with a mustache in their company logo. During this time, more changes were made to the building. They tried to make it brighter and have better air.
In 1939, Tooheys Limited bought the hotel. They even planned to completely rebuild it with a new, modern design. However, this work never started. In 1940, Tooheys decided to stop using most of the building as a hotel. They moved their hotel license to a different place in 1941.
A Hotel's New Purpose: Helping Servicemen
In 1942, Tooheys offered the building to the Sydney City Council. The Presbyterian Church then leased the building for only one pound a year! They wanted to create a Hospitality Centre for servicemen during World War II.
Many volunteers helped run the centre. It offered 120 beds, meals, and fun rooms for soldiers. They also had a chapel, showers, and a place to iron clothes. British servicemen especially liked how homely the centre felt.
After the war ended in 1946, the centre closed. It became too expensive to run.
What Happened Next?
After the centre closed, St Vincent de Paul tried to use the building to help homeless people. But in 1948, the government bought the property. They needed the space to make the nearby Haymarket Post Office bigger.
Since 1993, the building has been empty. Only a small shopping area on the ground floor is still used.
What Does the George Hotel Look Like?
The George Hotel is a four-story building made of bricks. It faces George Street and has a special design called the Victorian Free Gothic Style. This style uses decorative bricks and pointed arches.
Outside the Building
The front of the building is mostly the same as it was long ago. It has fancy brickwork and low, pointed arches. However, much of this detail is now covered by paint. The windows are made of timber. They get smaller as you go up each floor. The shops on the ground floor have changed a lot over time.
The wall on the north side of the building is partly original. The west wall was rebuilt in the 1940s. The post office building hides the south wall, but it's thought that many original windows are still there.
Inside the Building
Other than the ground floor shops, much of the building is not in good condition. However, the main rooms and the beautiful timber staircase are still mostly intact.
Why is the George Hotel Special?
The George Hotel is important because it's a great example of a Victorian Free Gothic style hotel. It was built around 1892. The outside of the building is still largely original, with its fancy brickwork. The main rooms and the timber staircase inside are also mostly the same.
The George Hotel was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. It met several important requirements:
A Glimpse into the Past
The George Hotel shows us what hotels were like in the late Victorian era. This was a time when the hotel business was doing very well in Sydney. It also has a link to Tooheys Limited, one of Australia's oldest brewing companies.
A Beautiful Building
The George Hotel is a wonderful example of the Victorian Free Gothic style. This style was used for commercial buildings like hotels. It shows off creative and technical skills in its design.
Helping Others: Its Social Impact
The George Hotel is also important because of its connection to the Presbyterian Church. During World War II, it was used as a Hospitality Centre. This centre helped many servicemen, showing how the building played a role in supporting people during a difficult time.
Learning from the Site
The site of the George Hotel has the potential to teach us more about the history of the area. There might be old remains underground from how the land was used a long time ago.
A Great Example
Overall, the former George Hotel is a fine example of a city hotel built in the Victorian Free Gothic style.
