Star Hotel (fmr)

Statement of Significance

Star Hotel (fmr) has local cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:
the place is valued by the local community for its contribution to the built environment of Fremantle, and as a result contributes to this community's sense of place;
the place is characteristic of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture, and is a rare example of a commercial building in this form in Fremantle;
the place is associated with the development of central Fremantle area from the 1870s through to the gold rushes of the I880s and 1890s;
since its construction in c. 1878, the place has been used for accommodation purposes; and the place is a significant element of the Essex Street streetscape.
AESTHETIC VALUE
A two storey rendered brick building in the Victoria Georgian style, Star Hotel (fmr) is a significant element in the Essex Street streetscape and contributes to the built character of the central Fremantle townscape. (Criteria 1.1 & 1.4)
HISTORIC VALUE
Star Hotel (fmr) is associated with the development of the central Fremantle town area, which occurred as a result of public works to the area in the 1870s and 1880s then gained impetus with the gold rushes of the 1880s and 1890s. (Criterion 2.2)
Although it no longer functions as a licensed hotel, since its construction in c. 1878 up to the present day in 2002 Star Hotel (fmr) has provided both long and short term residential accommodation. (Criterion 2.2)
SCIENTIFIC VALUE
SOCIAL VALUE
Star Hotel (fmr) is valued by the local community for its contribution to the built environment of Fremantle, and as a result contributes to this community's sense of place. Its value to the community is evidenced by its listing by the Fremant le Society in the late 1970s, its inclusion in the City of Fremantle Municipal Heritage Inventory and its Recording by the National Trust of Australia (WA). (Criteria 4.1 & 4.2)
RARITY
Star Hotel (fmr) is a rare surviving example of a commercial/residential building in the Victorian Georgian style of architecture, predating Fremantle 's main phase of development in the 1880s and 1890s as a result of the gold rushes. (Criterion 5.1)
REPRESENTATIVENESS
Although now difficult to read due the rendered finish to the fa9ade, the original style and form of Star Hotel (fmr) is characteristic of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. (Criterion 6.1)
CONDITION
Star Hotel (fmr) is in fair to good condition. INTEGRITY
Although the place has not been used as a hotel for many years, it continues to offer boarding house type accommodation. Star Hotel (fmr) has a moderate to high degree of integrity.
AUTHENTICITY
The place has a moderate degree of authenticity because of changes to the facade and internal alterations to allow its use as backpacker accommodation.

Physical Description

Star Hotel (fmr) is a two storey rendered brick building with a hipped tile roof in the Victorian Georgian style. The place is located flush against the footpath pavement of Essex Street. To the north is Fast Eddys restaurant and a driveway leading to a cinema complex, and to the south is a new commercial development.
An 'I-shaped ' building, the place originally had a laneway at ground floor level in the northern part of the building, which provided access from Essex Street to the rear of the property. Limestone walls along the remaining northern elevation and the eastern elevation form an internal courtyard. Note the eastern wall is not situated on the original lot boundary.
At first floor level there are two light wells. One located above the original laneway and the other on the southern elevation; the latter is an extension for the ground floor. Windows and doors are mulit-paned open casement, with new entrances and treatments on the front elevation done to match the original. There are awnings over the windows and doorways at ground floor level to the front elevation.
There is a two storey replacement verandah along the northern elevation of the east wing and a fire escape stair to the east of this wing. Doors on both levels provid e access into the rooms in this wing.
The floor plan follows a common plan from this period with the main recessed door entry leading into a central passage with rooms off to either side. Rooms at ground floor level include a reception area, the gallery/retail space, a multimedia room, and toilets and showers to the north of the central passage, and a bookstore, storage area and kitchen to the south. An entry at the end of the corridor leads to the courtyard and the east wing, and also contains a timber staircase leading up to the first floor. Located in the ground floor of the east wing are the laundry and a lounge.
The same plan appears at first floor level and the original access to the now removed verandah is still evident from the plan. Two minor corridors lead off to the north from the main passageway, to provide access to two rooms located at either end above the original Janeway. The first floor level consists of accommodation and toilets and showers.
Some alterations have occurred to the place, likely as part of the late 1980s works. These have included the installation of a modem kitchen and bathroom facilities as well as lighting etc.
Original fittings include timber floorboards and skirtings throughout, and the staircase and balustrade. Two of the ground floor rooms and one of the first floor rooms still have fireplaces. In the east wing, a fireplace is located on both levels on the eastern elevation. Only the fireplace in the lounge remains in use all others are sealed.
Star Hotel (fmr) is in fair to good condition.

History

Assessment 2003
Construction 1878
The 1870s saw a spate of long awaited public works occur at Fremantle primarily to do with its role as the main port to the Perth capital. These included the construction of a new sea jetty (known as the long jetty) in the early 1870s, the erection of a river jetty, and reclamation works on the river foreshore to allow for the building of the Fremantle to Guildford Railway, which opened in 1881. The works encouraged increased trade and commerce and provided the impetus for a minor building boom , which in turn fed into a major phase of development to Fremantle as a result of the increased prosperity of the gold rushes in the 1880s and l 890s.1
The demand for public amenities during this period resulted in the construction of shops and markets, and of course hotels. Star Hotel (fmr) dates from this time with the place being advertised in newspapers in December 1878. On 18 December, an advertisement informed the reader of the relocation of W. Mumme and J. Leonhardt from South Terrace to 'larger commodious premises in Essex Street'.2 Besides the large stock of ales, wines, aerated waters and cordials, the new hotel was also said to provide board and residence on liberal terms and ample stable accommodation.3 By January, the place was referred to as 'Star Hotel'.4
A 1907 sewerage plan clearly shows the place as a 'I-shaped' rectangular brick building with a cellar. Outbuildings included a wash house, a fowl house, a long brick building possibly the bathroom or stables, and brick water closets.5
By 1908, Star Hotel (fmr) had had 8 different publicans , with Leonhardt staying at the hotel the longest for a period of seven years (up to 1886).6 It would seem that it was the boarding house function that brought in the most business for the place, because in December 1926 the hotel was delicensed.7 It is not known if the hotel was ever relicensed subsequent to this; however, the place appears to have been primarily used as a boarding house from this time on. In the 1950s, it was known as 'Star House'.8
Photographs dated in the late 191Os and 1920s show the place with a two storey timber verandah projecting over the sidewalk.9 By 1978, this verandah had been removed. A photograph taken in this year also shows the place with a corrugated iron roof. It is also interesting to note that the building had an internal roadway to the north, which provided access to the rear. Windows and doorways also originally had rendered lintels not evident in 2002. 10
Between 1978 and 1986, the fac;:ade of the place appears to have undergone some renovation. As part of the works, the tin roof was replaced with tiles. 11
By the mid 1980s, Star Hotel (fmr) was part of a whole block of property running from Essex to Norfolk Streets that was in the one ownership. In anticipation of the commercial impact of the America 's Cup to be held in Fremantle in 1987, the owner proposed the demolition of the whole of the buildings on this property, including Star Hotel (fmr), to make way larger commercial development. At the time, the place was sti l l occupied by nine male pensioners, one of
whom, Mr.Ivan Radich, had lived there since his arrival from Yugoslavia JS years earlier.12 The plans resulted in some
controversy when the owner began demolition without City of Fremantle approval. As a result, the City took out a court injunction against the owner to ensure that no further demolition of the historic buildings located on the property was carried out. By January 1986, all parties had agreed that the buildings would be incorporated into the new development. 13
As part of the newly revised plans, Star Hotel (fmr) was renovated and restored. The building was completed rendered, some new windows and entry spaces installed, and the internal laneway converted into a retail premises. It appears that the work was carried out under the supervision of Temelcos & Zambotti Architects. 14
From this time up to 2002, Star Hotel (fmr) has functioned primarily as backpackers accommodation.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.