Exchange Hotel

Statement of Significance

The Exchange Hotel is significant to the social and historical development of the town. It is also of aesthetic significance for its Federation Free style design, with majestic façade on the main street of Greenbushes and is a good representative example of the work of Louis Bowser Cumpston, Architect.
Aesthetic Value
The Exchange Hotel is an iconic feature and important landmark of the Greenbushes streetscape, with its prominent two storey facade with majestic plaster pediment atop.
Historic Value
The Exchange Hotel was built in 1907, in a period when the tinfields in the district were well established and prospering. It is the largest remaining hotel in Greenbushes, exemplifying the high standard of accommodation provided for visitors, and the facilities provided for them and the local people, by a substantial and well known country hotel.
Research Value
The Exchange Hotel is of some research value into the building and design techniques at the turn of the century, particularly by such a prominent architect such as Cumpston.
Social Value
As a notable social institution within the Greenbushes community for well over a century, the Exchange Hotel is of high social and cultural value.

Physical Description

The Exchange Hotel is a two storey brick building with an elaborate plaster pediment and closed Italianate parapet balustrading. The building has painted banding across the front, including over the ground floor arched windows and doors. Internally the building contains original leadlight windows, fine Jarrah detailing (including the staircase and balustrade), pressed tin ceilings and ornate square ceiling rose.

History

The Exchange Hotel was built in 1907, a period in which Greenbushes was largely transformed with the addition and renovation of many commercial and public buildings, including the more permanent use of brick. This building in particular was said to be unrivalled in the South West as a hotel, not only for its fine façade, but as commodious, well designed premises with fine internal fixtures and furnishings. The hotel was built for Mr W Johnston, who made his initial fortune from the tin mining fields himself, in turn entrusting his belief in the continued prosperity of the townsite and mining fields by reinvesting his money in the construction of such a fine hotel.
The Exchange Hotel was designed by Louis Bowser Cumpston, a Perth based architect who was “particularly successful with hotel design”, including the Osborne Hotel, Claremont; Exchange Hotel, Greenbushes; Gosnells Hotel; Boyup Brook Hotel; Nungarin Hotel; Ocean Beach Hotel, North Cottesloe Hotel; Parkerville Tavern; Railway Hotel, Mullewa; Salmon Gums Hotel, and Cunderdin Hotel. His work was, however, very diverse and also included residences, local government buildings, churches, shops and factories.
The original two storey verandah has been replaced with an awning. The hotel’s ‘Stinton’s Restaurant’ is named in honour of David William Stinton Esq, founder of the Greenbushes Tinfields.

Integrity/Authenticity

High
The Hotel has high integrity, having run as a hotel from 1907 to present day, providing a public bar, formal dining room, informal lounge/dining and guest accommodation.
Moderate-High
The removal of the original two storey verandah has somewhat diminished the authenticity of the building, however the facade and internal fixtures, materials and design are of high authenticity and largely original.

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.