Windsor Hotel (Perth) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Windsor Hotel |
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The Windsor Hotel
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| General information | |
| Type | Heritage listed building |
| Location | Perth, Western Australia |
| Coordinates | 31°58′23″S 115°51′08″E / 31.9731°S 115.8523°E |
| Type | State Registered Place |
| Designated | 27 February 1996 |
| Reference no. | 2392 |
The Windsor Hotel is a special old building in South Perth, Western Australia. It is "heritage-listed," which means it is protected because of its history and unique design. The hotel was built in 1898 and is one of the oldest hotels still standing in Perth's southern areas.
A famous architect named J. J. Talbot Hobbs designed the hotel. It was built in a style called Federation Filigree. The Windsor Hotel was placed in a good spot for visitors going to Perth Zoo. People could easily get there by ferry along the Swan River. Over the years, the hotel has been updated many times.
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Discover the Hotel's Past
The Windsor Hotel was designed by the well-known architect J. J. Talbot Hobbs. It was built for George Stickland in 1898. The building cost about £4,050, which was a lot of money back then. The hotel opened when South Perth was becoming a very popular place.
Why South Perth Grew Popular
By the mid-1890s, South Perth was a busy and growing suburb. In 1898, the Perth Zoo first opened its doors. A post office even operated from inside the hotel for a while. This shows how important the Windsor Hotel was to the community.
Ownership Changes Over Time
During World War II, the Stickland family sold the hotel. It was bought by Mary Thomas, who later became Mary Raine. When Mary Raine passed away, she left the hotel to the University of Western Australia. This was a very generous gift.
Hotel Updates and Renovations
Since it was first built in 1898, the Windsor Hotel has had many big changes. It was updated in 1962, 1965, and 1970. More renovations happened in the 1980s and again in 1991. These updates helped keep the hotel modern and welcoming for guests.
Unique Architectural Style
The Windsor Hotel was designed in the Federation Filigree style. This style was popular in Australia around the time the country became a federation. The building uses special brickwork called tuck-pointed brick in a pattern called Flemish bond. Its roof is made of corrugated iron, but you can't see it because it's hidden behind a wall called a parapet.
Verandas and Balconies
The hotel has a veranda and a balcony that go along both sides facing the street. These are covered by a sloped roof. The veranda roof has special triangular parts called gables. These gables highlight the main entrances on each street side and the rounded corner of the building.
Decorative Ironwork Details
The veranda roof is held up by thin, fancy cast-iron posts. These posts have decorative tops called capitals. There is also cast-iron balustrading, which is like a decorative railing. These original veranda and roof details are very rare today. This makes the Windsor Hotel even more special and valuable.
A Classic Australian Pub Design
The Windsor Hotel is a great example of a traditional Australian pub. These hotels usually have two floors and verandas. They are often found on important street corners in towns or suburbs. The Windsor Hotel fits this description perfectly.
Protecting a Historic Building
Because of its importance and unique style, the Windsor Hotel was listed with the Heritage Council of Western Australia in 1995. This means it is officially recognized as a significant historical building.
