Wickham Hotel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wickham Hotel |
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Wickham Hotel, 2009
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| Location | 308 Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s - 1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | 1885 |
| Built for | Timothy O'Shea |
| Architect | Richard Gailey |
| Architectural style(s) | Classicism |
| Official name: Wickham Hotel | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600213 |
| Significant period | 1880s (fabric) 1885-ongoing (historical, use as hotel) |
| Significant components | cellar |
| Builders | Cussack & O'Keefe |
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The Wickham Hotel is a historic building in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It is a special place because it is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. This means it is an important part of Queensland's history and should be protected. The hotel was designed by a famous architect named Richard Gailey and built in 1885.
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History of the Wickham Hotel
The Wickham Hotel is a large building with three floors. It was built in 1885 for Timothy O'Shea. The construction work was done by a company called Cussack and O'Keefe.
Who Designed the Hotel?
The hotel was designed by Richard Gailey. He was a well-known architect in Brisbane during the 1880s. He also designed other famous hotels in the area. Some of these include the Regatta Hotel and the Prince Consort Hotel.
Changes Over the Years
In 1895, Denis O'Connor bought the hotel. He owned it for many years until he passed away in 1937. Later, in 1972, a company called Carlton & United Brewing bought it. For most of its history, different people have leased the hotel to run it.
The hotel has been changed a few times, mostly on the ground floor. Some new parts were added on the sides. A new drive-through bottle shop was also built next to the hotel more recently.
In 2014, the Wickham Hotel was updated and reopened. The aim was to welcome a wider variety of people. The balcony on the top floor was also opened for guests to enjoy.
What the Wickham Hotel Looks Like
The Wickham Hotel is made of brick and has three floors, plus a basement. It stands on a corner where three streets meet: Wickham, Ballow, and Alden Streets.
Outside Features
A large roof-like structure, called an awning, sticks out over the footpath. It has a special metal ceiling. The bottom part of the hotel's outside wall is covered in mosaic tiles, which are now painted. The walls above the awning look like stone. They have decorative bands around the windows.
The ground floor has rectangular wooden windows. On the first and second floors, the windows are arranged in a pattern. Some are narrow and arched, while others are wider and also arched.
A wooden verandah sticks out from the first floor. It has a wavy metal roof and fancy metal railings. These railings have decorative posts and brackets. The hotel's main roofs are sloped and made of painted metal. They have small overhangs supported by decorative blocks. There are also three tall brick chimneys on the roof.
Inside the Hotel
At the back of the building, on the first and second floors, there is an L-shaped verandah. Part of this verandah is now enclosed by a three-story brick addition. This new part holds bathrooms.
There are five sets of wooden double doors that let you enter the hotel from the street. The main entrance is on Wickham Street. It leads into a foyer with a beautiful plaster ceiling. A large wooden staircase goes up to the first floor from here. The rest of the ground floor has been updated. It now has bars, service areas, and a bottle shop.
Most of the first and second floors are used for guest rooms. There is also a small bar on the first floor. The main staircase only goes to the first floor. From there, another narrow wooden staircase connects the first and second floors. Inside, these floors still have many of their original features. These include the brick walls, plaster ceilings, and wooden baseboards. Wooden doors with small windows above them open off the main hallway. Doors leading to the verandah are half-glass with fanlights above.
Some parts of the ground floor have been changed. However, most of the rest of the building still looks much like it did when it was first built.
Why the Wickham Hotel is Important
The Wickham Hotel was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992. This means it meets certain rules that make it a special historical place.
Showing Queensland's History
The hotel helps us understand how Fortitude Valley grew and changed over time. It shows an important period in the area's development.
A Great Example of Hotel Design
The Wickham Hotel is a good example of a large, three-story hotel from the 1880s. It still has its original verandah. It also adds to the historic look of Wickham Street.
Beautiful Architecture
The hotel is considered beautiful because of its design. It shows the style of buildings from the 1880s. Its large size and decorative metalwork make it stand out.
Linked to a Famous Architect
The building is one of several hotels designed by architect Richard Gailey. His buildings are known for their grand appearance and classic details. They add a lot to the architectural style of Brisbane.
