Royal George Hotel

Parent Place or Precinct

14922 Stirling Terrace Precinct, Albany

Statement of Significance

Stirling Terrace Precinct:
Stirling Terrace Precinct, a predominantly late Victorian and Federation period townscape set along a segmented crescent plan overlooking Princess Royal Harbour, Albany and containing a diverse range of building types and styles, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:
the historic precinct is a fine and relatively intact example of a late nineteenth century and early twentieth century townscape, dating primarily from 1867 to 1915, demonstrating a range of activities and support infrastructure associated with the foundation and development of a prominent nineteenth century town;
the historic precinct is rare as a prominently located townscape with a town plan dating from the foundation of the settlement with a set of finely designed Victorian and Federation period buildings;
as the original commercial heart of the town, the historic precinct was an important part of the development of the region and the State to varying degrees from the 1830s until World War One when Albany was a prominent town in the Colony and Australia, due to its role as the Colony’s coal depot for the international mail and passenger service, which linked Europe to the eastern colonies. This role was expanded with the addition of regional railways and interstate telegraph links;
viewed from the harbour and from the western approaches to the town, the historic precinct as a whole is a landmark, strengthened by the strong vertical accents of the Royal George Hotel and the former Post Office;
the historic precinct is highly valued by the local community for its aesthetic values and historic associations and, along with the defining topography of the Princess Royal Harbour, Mount Melville and Mount Clarence, is as one of the elements that contributes to the local community’s sense of place and to the identity of Albany;
within the precinct, G.T. Poole’s designs for the Post Office and Court House demonstrate creative excellence and J.T. Hobbs’ design for the Sandover & Co store, which later became Drew Robinson & Co.’s store, at 108-110 Stirling Terrace makes innovative use of large plate glass windows;
and
the historic precinct includes buildings designed by prominent architects James Manning, Lt. General Sir J. T. Hobbs, J. Herbert Eales, and George T. Poole, and was historically the location of businesses founded and run by significant Albany and regional identities including Thomas Sherratt, Alexander Moir, John Robinson, Charles Drew, Frank Dymes, Edward Barnett, J.F.T. Hassell, and E.G. Everett.

Physical Description

Some of the notable features of this place include:
• Set on Stirling Terrace
• Two storey construction
• Forms part of a significant group of commercial buildings
• Asymmetrical façade with inter-columnisation
• Painted rendered brick on second and third storey façade, painted brick on first storey
• Parapet wall concealing roof with gable and classical decorative motifs
• Horizontal moulding defining first and second storey
• Arched windows at street level
• Cantilevered box verandah

Some obvious modifications include:
• Original verandah removed replaced by cantilevered canopy/awning
• External colour scheme
Refer also to: Considine & Griffiths Architects in association with Kris Bizzaca, Stirling Terrace, Albany, Conservation Plan, October 2000.

History

Royal George Hotel
The Royal George Hotel was built on the site of Aberdeen House, the dwelling of Alexander and Catherine Moir. It is believed some of the original structure of Aberdeen House was incorporated into the rear of the hotel.

Alexander and Catherine Moir were married in 1854 and had thirteen children. It was known that the old Aberdeen House was built before the birth of the sixth child in 1867. In the mid 1880s the Moir’s leased the two storey house to Frederick Watts who obtained licenses to convert the building into the Railway Hotel. This move was prompted by the construction of the Great Southern Railway and the location of the Albany Railway Station on Lower Stirling Terrace immediately below the hotel.

In 1892 Moir leased the Railway Hotel to Charles Bailey. During this period the hotel’s name was changed to the Royal George. Mr Reynolds then took over the running of the hotel and in 1897 he received permission to build a new double storey verandah. He also made changes to the façade including adding the front parapet bearing the new name of the hotel. In the rear of the hotel during this period were the old Aberdeen House gardens, which were named Cremorne gardens. These have since been demolished.

Work began on additions to the Royal George Hotel in 1910. The building was designed to have three storeys, with a balcony in front with cast iron lacework decoration. The completed building was rendered in a very plain version of the Federation Free Classical style. The walls were made of tuck-pointed brickwork with stucco bands and sills. Public bar facilities were located on the ground floor. The drawing room, 18 bedrooms, five baths and five toilets were located at the first floor level. On the second floor, 13 bedrooms, two baths and two toilets were built. The architect was J. C. Smith and the builder was C. Arnott

Royal George Hotel advertising was pitched at commercial and professional travellers. However, the hotel remained the ‘lumpers pub’ for those who worked on the coal hulks. An advertisement in c1910 when S Patterson was the proprietor emphasised the following points about the hotel.
The Royal George Hotel which nearly faces the Post Office in Stirling-terrace (sic) is another house rebuilt (referring to next door White Star Hotel). In its new form the building is of three stories, with balcony in front and the establishment is replete with all modern improvements, including the electric light and a septic tank for disposal of waste. The bars are so placed to keep them clear of the house. On the ground floor are the staircase hall, commercial room, billiard room, dining room, kitchen, servery, pantries, storeroom, laundry and accommodation for the staff. The first floor contains a drawing room, five bathrooms, five sanitary accommodations and 18 bedrooms. On the second floor there are 13 bedrooms, two bathrooms and sanitary arrangements. All the bedrooms are of good size and well ventilated. A septic tank is installed and all sanitary work is carried out on the most modern lines. Hot and cold water is provided for and electric lights and bells are throughout. A feature is the stabling, containing six stalls, harness man’s room, coach house and motor garage. The furnishing has been attended to in a most liberal spirit and everything is new and comfortable.

Little has been changed to the building, apart from the removal of the original timber verandah and balcony in the 1960s which was replaced with a flat roofed cantilevered awning. There have also been from minor internal modifications and various colour schemes applied, but it has continuously run as hotel since it opened. In c2014, extensive conservation works were carried out to the hotel, in particular the ground floor. The works resulted in many of the original fabric and features of the interior being revealed and showcased. An external bar area was also added in the laneway on the east side of the building.

Stirling Terrace Precinct
Stirling Terrace is one of the City of Albany’s most significant heritage assets, both as a streetscape and as a collection of Victorian and Federation period buildings overlooking Princess Royal Harbour. Stirling Terrace is located in visually striking topography and its segmented crescent plan form remains basically as it was when first recorded by Surveyor Hillman in 1835. The mature trees and the harmonious architectural composition of diverse building types and styles provide additional visual interest.

Stirling Terrace was developed from the 1830s following the establishment of Albany as part of the Swan River colony, and was an important part of the development of the region and the State to varying degrees from the 1830s until World War One. The 1835 Hillman survey plan set the scene for the emergence of Stirling Terrace as the prime location in the town, with a rich variety of social, commercial, leisure, institutional and service functions. The majority of the built fabric which remains today was completed in the period 1867 to 1915. The buildings were designed by some of the State’s most eminent architects and many were built for prominent citizens and institutions.

Over the years the commercial focus of Albany has moved to York Street, with many institutions, such as banks and the post office relocating there. Free of substantial development pressure at a critical time, Stirling Terrace has managed to retain many of its historic structures and features. Viewed from the harbour, and from the western approach to the town, Stirling Terrace has a landmark quality as a whole.

Refer also to: Considine & Griffiths Architects in association with Kris Bizzaca, Stirling Terrace, Albany, Conservation Plan, October 2000.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High
Authenticity: Moderate

Condition

Good

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.