Melbourne Hotel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Melbourne Hotel |
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Melbourne Hotel – Murray/Milligan Street frontages (2018)
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| Alternative names | Old Melbourne Hotel |
| General information | |
| Type | Hotel |
| Architectural style | Federation Free Classical |
| Location | Corner Hay Street and Milligan Street |
| Address | 942 Hay Street |
| Town or city | Perth, Western Australia |
| Coordinates | 31°57′06″S 115°51′05″E / 31.9516°S 115.8515°E |
| Opened | April 1897 |
| Renovated | 1971, 1994-95, 1997, 2015-2018 |
| Client | John De Baun |
| Owner | Oaksfield Pty Ltd |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 3 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architecture firm | Peter John Wilson |
| Renovating team | |
| Architect | Oldham Boas Ednie-Brown (1994-95) Buchan Group (2015-2018) |
| Type | State Registered Place |
| Designated | 21 January 1997 |
| Reference no. | 2005 |
The Melbourne Hotel is a famous old hotel in Perth, Western Australia. It is considered a special landmark because of its history. You can find it at the corner of Hay Street and Milligan Street.
Contents
History of the Melbourne Hotel
How the Hotel Started
In the 1890s, many people came to Western Australia because of the gold rush. An American investor named John De Baun came to Perth. He wanted to buy land and build things.
In 1896, John De Baun bought an old building called the Eagle Tavern. It was located on the same corner where the Melbourne Hotel stands today. He decided to tear it down to build something new.
De Baun hired an architect named Peter John Wilson to design a new hotel. The hotel was built in a style called Federation Free Classical. It was named after a nearby road, Melbourne Street.
Opening and Early Years
The Melbourne Hotel officially opened in April 1897. It welcomed both people staying for a long time and visitors. Many people came to the city during the gold rush, so the hotel was very busy.
For most of the 1900s, the hotel also served as a pub. This means it was a place where people could gather and relax.
Changes Over Time
In 1970, two people named John Murdoch and Robert Stowe bought the hotel. They later transferred it to a group of West Australians. This group included Len Buckeridge.
Buckeridge's company helped plan the first big changes to the hotel. They added new parts to the west side and updated the inside. In the 1970s, the ground and first floors became a nightclub and a cabaret lounge.
Later, in the 1980s and 1990s, these areas had different names. They were known as Tiffany's Nightclub, The Firm Nightclub, and Meccanos.
In 1993, a company called Decanning Ltd bought the building. They decided to change it into a private business club. It was called The Old Melbourne Club.
An architectural firm helped with these updates from 1994 to 1995. They made the Hay Street side of the building look the same as the original part. They also fixed up the beautiful balcony, the grand wooden staircase, and the fancy ceilings.
In 2006, a company from Singapore called Oakesfield Pty Ltd became the new owners. From 2015 to 2018, the hotel went through another big renovation. Old additions were removed and replaced with a new seven-story building.
This big project cost $40 million. It added 73 guest rooms, event spaces, and five places to eat and drink. The front bar was reopened as De Baun & Co, named after the hotel's first owner, John De Baun.
What the Hotel Looks Like
The Melbourne Hotel is a three-story building made of brick. It has a sloped roof hidden behind a fancy wall at the top. The outside walls are painted and have a smooth finish.
The windows and doors are rounded at the top. They have decorations that look like stone, columns, and triangles. This style is called Federation Free Classical.
One special feature is the elegant balcony on the first floor. It sticks out over the sidewalk on both street sides. It is held up by decorative metal brackets and columns. The balcony has a curved metal roof.
Inside, the hotel has wooden floors and roofs. The walls are plastered, and there are wooden details. You can also see decorative plaster ceilings and a beautiful wooden staircase. There is even an old metal elevator with special glass doors.
Why the Hotel is Important
The Melbourne Hotel is considered very important because of its history and design. It has been recognized by several groups that protect historical places.
- On November 1, 1988, it was added to the Register of the National Estate.
- On January 21, 1997, it was placed on the permanent State Heritage Register.
- The City of Perth also listed it on their Municipal Heritage Inventory on March 13, 2001.
- The National Trust of Australia (WA) recognized it on December 7, 1987.
These listings mean the Melbourne Hotel is a protected building. It is valued for its history and its beautiful architecture.
