Gosnells Hotel

Statement of Significance

Gosnells Hotel has aesthetic value as a fine example of Federation Filigree architecture in a prominent location. Built on a moajor intersection with Albany Highway and adjacent to the Canning River, it is a significant landmark.

The place has social value for the community since 1908 for the many formal and informal social events held there.

The place has historic value for its association with the period that the locality of Gosnells was being developed.

Physical Description

Gosnells Hotel is a substantial turn of the century red brick and iron structure located on the western side of Albany Highway at the intersection with Fremantle Road. The hotel has been extended over time but the original intent of the early hotel building is still clearly evident.

The two storey structure has a dual frontage with verandahs to both Albany Highway and Fremantle Road. The face brickwork is broken up by four rendered bands extending around the building corresponding to sill height of the windows to both the upper and lower levels. The remaining two rendered bands correspond with the transoms of the main windows to the Albany Highway frontage and also form the window arch whilst to the Fremantle Road elevation, the bands are interrupted by the regular pattern of doors and windows.

There are prominent gables to the two main façades, both with rendered and timbered detailing with white bargeboards and timber finials. A smaller gable is located on the angle of the north-east elevation with a circular louvered vent.

The windows to the hotel are a combination of 1-over-1 timber framed sash windows and casement windows. French doors provide access out onto the upper level of the verandah whilst timber and glass panelled doors provide the ground floor entrance.

The verandahs are open to the ground level, supported on turned timber columns and enclosed with timber balustrading to the upper level. The height of the balustrade has been increased by the addition of a single timber rail to make it compliant to current standards. The verandah to the south elevation has been altered; originally it was a single storey structure with a skillion roof but has subsequently been made into a two storey feature, using the same detailing from the verandah to the east elevation. This has resulted in an additional set of French doors being inserted into the elevation at the south-east corner of the south elevation. The alterations to the original building have generally been sympathetic.

The 1990s single storey addition to the north is sympathetic to the main building, utilising the same palette of materials and influenced by the architectural detailing of the hotel. The drive-through bottle shop is a single storey addition to the south elevation. The structure is of brick construction with a flat roof but has a detracting impact on the hotel.

History

The Gosnells Hotel was built by James Henry Connell beside the Canning River in 1907-08 to a design by well-known Perth architect Louis Bowser Cumpston. It was well known for its extensive 'Pleasure Grounds', its large and draughty shed called the 'Assembly Hall', and its first class accommodation for weekenders.

For many years, together with the Gosnells State School, the hotel was one of the two major social centres of the district. Catholic Mass was regularly celebrated in the Assembly Hall and the local football team and many other sporting clubs used the paddock behind the hotel. Perry's Circus performed there at least twice a year.

The following comment, made by a former proprietor of the Gosnells Hotel, appears on the back of a photograph from advertising literature:
This hotel is beautifully situated on the Canning River, commanding splendid views of the Darling Ranges only 12 miles from Perth. Every convenience for the accommodation of boarders and visitors. Attached to the Hotel are extensive Pleasure Grounds, Assembly Hall (with excellent floor) for picnic parties. Only the best of liquors kept. Tariff moderate. H Y Wise (Proprietor).

A series of renovations and additions were carried out to the Hotel during the 1960s and 1970s to cope with increased patronage. In the early 1990s hotelier Geoff Ogden restored the hotel and also added a four hundred seat restaurant.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High degree
Authenticity: High degree

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.