Exchange Hotel (fmr)

Statement of Significance

Exchange Tavern is representative of the Australian pub tradition as a two-storey hotel with verandahs, located on a prominent street corner. The building is an important element of the streetscape of Pasture & Quadrant Streets, enhanced by the verandah and balcony which extend over the pavement. The place has historic value as a demonstration of the development that occurred in Pingelly around the turn-ofthe-century as it became the service centre of the district.

Physical Description

Exchange Tavern is a two-storey building in Federation Filigree style. on the south-west corner of Pasture & Quadrant Streets. The building is located at the building line The building is in brickwork laid in English bond, tuck-pointed and originally in fair-faced brickwork with rendered bands on the lower and upper levels. The exterior is now painted to the street facades. The building is truncated at the corner with the main entrance into the building with secondary entrances off each street. The building features an ornate parapet with triangular pediments in ths centre of the each street facade. String courses run the length of the facades. The words 'Exchange Tavern' decorate the underside of the parapet to both street facades. A verandah and balcony extend over the footpath along both street facades and are covered with a lean-to roof covered in cgi. The lean-to covering is replacement fabric, the original roof covering was painted in wide stripes. The balcony and balcony roof are supported on fine, turned timber posts with curved decorative timber fringes. The posts originally had capitals. The balustrading on the balcony was originally infilled with vertical timber members with a simple timber balustrade. The balustrading is now infilled with a lining. The posts are regularly spaced and feature curved timber friezes. The street facades are rendered and painted to dado height in a contrasting colour. The openings on the exterior walls are flat arched windows with double-hung sashes . The upper panes are divided into small panes with thick glazing bars. The entry at the building's truncation has slender double doors with a leaded and stained glass fanlight. The north elevation has two shopfronts on the lower level. The original shopfronts were timber framed with a recessed entry. The shopfront furthest west is relatively intact. The second shopfront was rebuilt with different bricks to the original building and in a style that did not attempt to resemble the existing building. The interior of the building comprises bar facilities on the ground floor level and accommodation on the upper level with 18 rooms with separate toilet and bathroom facilities and lounge room. The interior features decorative arches, timber floorboards, lathe and plaster ceilings and decorative ceiling roses, some are missing. A paved court is at the rear of the hotel with four large trees in its centre. Old brick stables with half rendered walls are also behind the hotel. Overall, the stables are in fair condition, some bricks have fretted. Alterations to the building and the erection of show rooms were carried out in 1910. Further alterations were carried out to the building over time, including the installation of suspended ceilings on the upper level, replacement window panes, replacement balcony infill, and the recovering of the roof. As of February 1996, the hotel is undergoing extensive conservation work under the design and supervision of the owner. Restoration work includes the removal of the suspended ceilings, new skirting boards and timber panelling and general repairs and painting.

History

In January 1906, tenders were called for the erection of a large Hotel at Pingelly, for T. J. Humphries Esq. [Unfortunately no other details regarding the erection of the hotel were found in the Pingelly Express as the series on the Battye Library expires in March 1906 and the next Pingelly paper - the Pingelly Leader - does not commence until August 1906]. In July 1906, shortly after its opening, the Beverley Times described the Exchange Hotel as "one of the finest buildings in any agricultural town in the state". Mr W. Mcintosh was the proprietor. Tenders for the erection of showrooms and alterations were called in June 1910.

Integrity/Authenticity

Moderate-High

Condition

Fair-Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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