kids encyclopedia robot

Glenmore Hotel facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Glenmore Hotel
Glenmore Hotel - The Rocks NSW (12866054844).jpg
The Glenmore Hotel in 2014
Location 96-98 Cumberland Street, The Rocks, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Built 1921
Architect Tooth and Co. resident architects
Architectural style(s) Inter-war Georgian Revival
Owner Property NSW
Official name: Glenmore Hotel
Type State heritage (built)
Designated 10 May 2002
Reference no. 1549
Type Hotel
Category Commercial
Builders D. M. Mitchell
Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).

The Glenmore Hotel is a historic pub located at 96-98 Cumberland Street. It is in The Rocks, a famous part of Sydney, Australia. Architects from Tooth and Co., a well-known brewery, designed the hotel. D. M. Mitchell built it in 1921.

Today, Property NSW, a government agency, owns the building. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on May 10, 2002. This means it is a very important historical site.

The Hotel's History

The land where the Glenmore Hotel stands has been used for a very long time. People likely lived here soon after the First Fleet arrived in 1788. This was a popular area for wealthier people in the early colony.

In 1835, records show a pub called The Punch Bowl was on part of this site. It was owned by Andrew Coss. Some people think a hotel might have been here even earlier, around 1816.

Later, in 1864, different families lived in houses on the site. By 1880, there were three houses at 80-84 Cumberland Street. These houses were occupied by various people, including a shipwright and a boot maker.

Building the New Glenmore Hotel

The current Glenmore Hotel is not the first hotel with this name. The first Glenmore Hotel was located nearby on the same street. It had to be taken down because the Sydney Harbour Bridge was going to be built.

In 1919, the old hotel was called "ruinous and dilapidated." Tooth & Co., the brewery, agreed to build a new hotel on a different site. This new site was next to the Argyle Cut. The new building had to cost more than £4,000.

Construction began in late 1919 or early 1920. The builder was D. M. Mitchell. The project faced delays because of issues with water drains. To build the hotel, workers had to dig deep into the ground. This digging destroyed much of the old evidence of earlier buildings.

By June 1921, the hotel was almost finished. It opened in July 1921. The final cost of the new hotel was £7,905.

Changes Over Time

The Glenmore Hotel's history has been mostly quiet since it opened. Like many hotels, it faced challenges. Trade slowed down during the Great Depression. Also, when houses opposite the hotel were demolished for the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the hotel lost some customers.

In the 1950s, the inside of the building was changed. The canopy over the bar was removed. The building also had ongoing problems with cracks in its walls. In the 1970s, major repairs were done. Parts like the balconies and roof laundry were removed. New supports were added to make the walls stronger. The hotel was also updated in 2005.

Hotel Design

The Glenmore Hotel has three floors. Its outside walls are made of brick. Inside, the walls are plastered. The public bar area has a tiled wall dado, which is a decorative lower part of the wall.

Why the Hotel is Important

The Glenmore Hotel is very important for its history and design. It is part of The Rocks area, which is also a significant heritage site. The hotel was built around 1921 by Tooth & Co. Its design is in the Inter-war Georgian Revival style.

The hotel shows how pubs changed in the 20th century. It still offers accommodation, and old spaces have been updated for new uses. Its style and look represent Tooth & Co.'s efforts to improve the image of hotels during that time.

The Glenmore Hotel is a good example of the Georgian Revival style. This style was popular for hotels built or changed during the Inter-war period. You can see its features in the brick walls, painted details, and symmetrical front.

The hotel was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 2002 for several reasons:

  • It shows the history of New South Wales: The hotel has been continuously used since 1921. It shows the history of drinking and social life in The Rocks. It also shows how laws and attitudes about drinking changed. The hotel was rebuilt during a time when The Rocks area was being redeveloped.
  • It is linked to important groups: The Glenmore Hotel is connected to Tooth & Co. Brewers, one of Sydney's oldest brewing companies. This company owned many hotels in The Rocks. They helped shape the social and economic life of the area. Tooth & Co. rebuilt or changed many hotels to give them a better image.
  • It shows great design: The hotel is a good example of the Inter-war Georgian Revival style. This style was common for new and updated hotels. Its design includes brickwork, regular windows, and a balanced front. Even though some parts have been changed, it still shows this style well. The hotel adds a lot to the look of The Rocks streetscape.
  • It is important to the community: The Rocks area is highly valued by the Sydney community. The Glenmore Hotel, as a public place, adds to the social importance of The Rocks. It is a place where local people and visitors meet and interact.
  • It could teach us more about history: There might be old remains of early houses and settlements under the hotel, especially near Gloucester Street. However, much of the site was dug up when the hotel was built. This means there might not be many old artifacts left.
  • It is a rare example: The Glenmore Hotel is one of the last buildings from before the Sydney Harbour Bridge was built in Cumberland Street. This makes it a special reminder of how The Rocks looked before 1930.
  • It shows key features of hotels: The hotel represents the time when major breweries like Tooth & Co. rebuilt hotels to improve their image. It is a typical example of how hotels were updated during the Inter-war period across New South Wales. It also shows the Inter-war Georgian Revival style of commercial buildings.
kids search engine
Glenmore Hotel Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.