Australian Hotel
Location: 100-104 Cumberland Street, The Rocks, NSW 2000
Constructed: 1914 - 1915
|
The Rocks is a unique and special historical precinct where you will be transported back in time. As you wander the streets you will be impressed by the historic buildings, including Australian Hotel. This 1914 building is an embodiment of the two-storey scale of the area which predominated in the pre-Bridge era. The history of the building, and the rare two-level bar, is a record of social history including the drinking habits of the time and the economic vagaries of society (by virtue of its success during economic hardship and during wartime stringencies). The building is a rare and virtually intact example of hotel and shops combined in the one architectural treatment and the residences above the shops are an important reminder of a past practice of combining living and working premises.
|
Physical Description
Style: Italianate; Storeys: 2 & basement; Facade: Brick; Side Rear Walls: Brick; Internal Walls: Plaster; Roof Cladding: Iron; Floor Frame: cement floor - basement, timber -ground and first; Ceilings: Decorative pressed metal |
Modifications
There have been only minor structural changes to the building and minor changes in the use of the building from 1929 to 1974 (for more information see the Conservation Study).
In 1991-1992 an extensive program of conservation works was carried out. The Cumberland Street shop was rebuilt within the existing shell after fire damage, using evidence from the Gloucester Street shop. The hotel and Gloucester Street shop required structural and fire safety upgrading, and the hotel's ground floor public rooms were refurbished. The exterior was repainted in the original 1920s colour scheme. (SCRA Annual Report 1992, verbal advice from Scott Robertson)
Approval was granted in 1999 for 104 Cumberland Street (shop) to operate as a kitchen and restaurant in association with the hotel. This will allow the reinstatement of the ladies parlour in the upper bar. It is proposed that bedroom accommodation on the first floor of the shop will be connected to existing bedrooms and facilities above the hotel. This will allow the reinstatement of the ladies parlour in the upper bar. (Verbal advice from Susan Duyker) |
Condition
Archaeology Assessment Condition: Partly disturbed. Assessment Basis: The watching brief indicated that the archaeological resource was well preserved, particularly in the form of architectural elements. Floor plans of the terrace houses in Gloucester Street were obtained, the foundations being preserved in situ beneath the floor of the shop. Some architectural elements were encountered under the Cumberland St shop although these were disturbed as little as possible, retaining them for future investigation. Investigation: Watching Brief |
History
The site is known to have been built upon by the 1820s, although it is likely that, like the other ridges of The Rocks, it was occupied by the encampment of settlers in the first weeks of the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788. Terrace houses occupied the site from the c1840s until the construction of the hotel complex in 1914.
The original Australian Hotel, leased to John Murray, was situated at 116 Cumberland Street on land contained within the Observatory Hill Resumed Area. In 1907 plans were made to realign Cumberland Street which included the demolition of the hotel. In 1911, Murray made an application for the erection of a new hotel, to be built be either the Government or himself. The site on the corner of Cumberland Street and Gloucester Street was chosen.
In 1912, Murray was granted a lease for the new hotel, operative as of 1 January 1913. Prior to construction, however, the 50 year lease was transferred to Resch's Ltd. The residential buildings on the site were demolished by 1914 and construction of the new hotel completed towards the end of that same year. On 8 May 1914 the Municipal Council approved the construction of a two storey hotel plus cellar and two shops adjoining (one in Cumberland Street and one in Gloucester Street), the plans having been prepared for and submitted to Council by Resch's Ltd. The structure was two storeys in height with brick walls and an iron roof. A basement, or cellar, was located beneath the split level saloon bar. Two shops were also built on the site, one of which (fronting Cumberland Street) was used as a grocery store.
In 1915, Resch's Ltd sublet the hotel to John Upjohn who was later convicted of selling adulterated rum. Resch's Ltd merged with Tooth & Co. Ltd in 1931 and the lease was transferred to Tooth & Co. Ltd, with Upjohn remaining licensee until 1939. In 1948, the whole of the ground floor was renovated and in 1955, the hotel was reroofed. Upon the expiration of the 50 year lease in 1963, Tooth & Co. Ltd stayed on as monthly tenants. Under the Sydney Cove Redevelopment Authority Act of 1968, the hotel and surrounding area came under the jurisdiction of the Authority.
In 1991-1992 an extensive program of conservation works was carried out, including the rebuilding of the Cumberland Street shop within the existing shell after fire damage.
|
Internet links
| Webpage |
Source |
|
|
|
Accommodation Homepage |
|
Attraction Homepage |
|
|
Data
| Name of Item: |
Australian Hotel |
| Type of Item: |
Built |
| Collection: |
Commercial |
| Category: |
Hotel |
| Location: |
100-104 Cumberland Street, The Rocks,
NSW 2000 |
| Local Govt: |
Sydney |
|
| Constructed: |
1914 - 1915 |
| Current Use: |
Hotel- Shop |
| Former Use: |
Hotel-shop and residence |
|
|
