London Hotel, Albany facts for kids
Quick facts for kids London Hotel |
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London Hotel Albany from south
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| General information | |
| Type | Heritage listed building |
| Location | Albany, Western Australia |
| Coordinates | 35°01′36″S 117°52′59″E / 35.0268°S 117.8831°E |
| Type | State Registered Place |
| Designated | 7 December 2007 |
| Part of | Stirling Terrace Precinct, Albany (14922) |
| Reference no. | 3339 |
The London Hotel is a historic building located in Albany. It stands on Stirling Terrace and looks out over Princess Royal Harbour. Albany is in the Great Southern region of Western Australia.
Contents
History of the London Hotel
The London Hotel has a long and interesting past. The building you see today was built in 1909. It cost about £7,000 to construct at that time.
Building Design and Construction
An architect named J. Herbert Eales designed the hotel. The person who owned the hotel business, called the proprietor, was Harry C. Sims. A builder named A. Thompson completed the construction work.
The current hotel was built on the same spot where an older hotel once stood. This earlier hotel was called the Chusan Hotel. It had been there since 1849 and was rebuilt in 1871.
What the Hotel Looked Like
When it was first built, the London Hotel was a two-storey building made of brick. The outside was covered in plaster. It had large, open balconies where guests could relax.
Inside, the entrance hall felt like a grand English house. There was a big drawing room, about 22 feet by 20 feet (6.7 by 6.1 metres). This room opened onto a balcony. The dining room was also very large, similar in size. Harry C. Sims ran the hotel until 1918.
Changes in Ownership
In 1930, the hotel was put up for sale at an auction. An auction is a public sale where things are sold to the highest bidder. A local person named E. S. Cowan bought it for £7,500.
After Mr. Cowan passed away, the hotel was put up for auction again in 1935. It didn't sell at the auction, meaning no one offered enough money. However, it was later sold privately to Mrs. R. Ruse from Mount Barker.
Modern Changes and New Name
In 2009, a new owner named Kester Solomon took over the hotel. He made many changes to the inside. He added a European-style coffee shop and a stylish lounge area.
The hotel was given a new name: Liberte. It was updated with new timber floors and beautiful wallpaper. They also added fancy mantelpieces and shiny gilded mirrors.
Images for kids
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London Hotel entry
