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Vasse Hotel

Author

City of Busselton

Place Number

05331
There no heritage location found in the Google fusion table.

Location

38 Duchess St Busselton

Location Details

Local Government

Busselton

Region

South West

Construction Date

Constructed from 1906

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type Status Date Documents More information
Heritage List YES 13 Aug 2014
Heritage List Adopted 16 Oct 2024

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type Status Date Documents
(no listings)

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type Status Date Grading/Management More information
Category Description
Statewide Hotel Survey Completed 01 Nov 1997

Heritage Council
Local Heritage Survey YES 16 Oct 2024 Category 2

Category 2

These places are also important places in the Shire, and generally have built features as part of their significance. These places should be retained on the list and conservation encouraged.

Local Heritage Survey YES 16 Oct 2024 Category 2

Category 2

These places are also important places in the Shire, and generally have built features as part of their significance. These places should be retained on the list and conservation encouraged.

Municipal Inventory Adopted 20 Jun 1996 Category 3

Category 3

These places are of interest with built features, but their conservation is not considered to be essential. While retention and conservation is encouraged, significant change and even demolition is an acceptable outcome, though some recording prior to these actions is recommended.9 – Environment and Heritage Conservation Policy – City of Busselton Page 7 of 29

Statement of Significance

• The Vasse Hotel, a two storey brick, stucco and iron roofed Federation Free Classical style building with substantial additions, has aesthetic value as a local landmark, as a substantial fragment of a fine buildings and for its contribution to the Queen Street streetscape.
• The Vasse Hotel has historic value for its association with the establishment of Busselton as a holiday destination from late 19th century. The changes in the building have been consistent with the
ebb and flow of the holiday industry in Busselton.
• The place has social value for the Busselton community as it has been present in the streetscape since the late 19th century and contributes to the community sense of place and many members of the community have visited the place for a range of social events.

Physical Description

The Vasse Hotel now comprises the 1906 building on the corner of Queen and Duchess Streets, with a shopping centre to the south and west. The original section of the building had a two‐storey timber construction filigree style verandah, brick walls, stucco decorative treatments, an iron roof, tall double hung sash windows and timber‐framed doors. It is a distinctive element in the streetscape and like most country hotels takes full advantage of its corner to make an architectural statement. The verandahs are very deep, but the present fabric is all replacement material. The parapet detail remains authentic,
with its cornice, panels and acroteria and the words Vasse Hotel in bas‐relief. Almost all openings have been altered and several of the original openings have been bricked in.

History

From the available research there was a hotel on this site known as the Vasse Hotel from at least 1888. In an advertisement in 1896 it is stated that there were 6 sitting rooms and 9 bedrooms, apart from the rooms needed for the licensees family. At that time the owner was S. Copley and in the next few years there changes of the licensee and owners.
In 1902, it was announced that the 'homely hotel was being enlarged'. Previous research has found that the works were completed by local contractor Robert Donald and Son and like many hotels underwent numerous changes to accommodate changing needs. The changes were generally confined to the ground floor until the building was completely renovated and changed significantly during the 2002‐3 shopping centre projects.
The place now comprises of a café and tavern and large sections of the former hotel were demolished to make way for the new additions.

Integrity/Authenticity

Moderate/High

Condition

Good

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Uses

Epoch General Specific
Present Use COMMERCIAL Hotel, Tavern or Inn
Original Use COMMERCIAL Hotel, Tavern or Inn

Architectural Styles

Style
Federation Filigree

Construction Materials

Type General Specific
Wall PLASTER Other Plaster
Roof METAL Corrugated Iron
Wall BRICK Painted Brick

Historic Themes

General Specific
SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES Sport, recreation & entertainment

Creation Date

12 Feb 1997

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

18 Jul 2025

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.