Grosvenor Hotel

Statement of Significance

The place is one of only three hotels from the 1880s still extant in central Perth, that is the Grosvenor Hotel, the William Street wing of the Royal Hotel and the Globe Hotel in Wellington Street. The place is rare in metropolitan Perth for its combination of architectural styles, which are Victorian Regency and Victorian Gothic Revival. The place is significant for its contribution to the streetscape. The grouping of the Grosvenor Hotel, the Perth Mint, buildings from Mercedes Girls School and the inter war shops on the opposite corner make a positive contribution to the streetscape. The place represents the principle characteristics of a hotel from the late 19th and early 20th century although the interior layout has been substantially altered from its original form the basic structure of the building can be understood from the remaining fabric. The place is an uncommon example of a hotel in Perth which performs the same basic functions at the same site for over 120 years. The place is valued for its association with the hospitality industry since 1886. The place has been used as a hotel for accommodation and later as a public house and restaurant. Its evolution of usage represents the changing patterns of use associated with licensed premises in the City of Perth and the state.

Physical Description

Two storey building with pitched roof verandahs constructed of timber and iron filigree. Facades embellished with quoining, label molds and cornices. Some modifications at street level but otherwise substantially intact. Building comprises three sections, two dating from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries and one from circa 1960's or 70's. Internal stairs believed to be intact.

History

Hotel dating from the period of commercial expansion in Perth following the gold rush of the 1890's. At this period a large number of hotels or 'pubs' were built in Perth, on the outskirts of the city and in country towns. They provided accommodation and refreshment to travellers and the increasing number of immigrants arriving in the state, including the large proportion of working men from Victoria. Typically, the hotel was constructed on a corner with the entrance to the public bar addressing the corner and the entrance for residents on one of the streets. There was often a tower or other feature on the corner and a verandah with elaborate cast iron decoration along the street facades. (Extracted from M. Pitt Morrison and J. White in C.T. Stannage, A New History of Western Australia; U.W.A. 1981) The Grosvenor Hotel exhibits three phases of development. The first (circa 1887) using colonial style with iron lace decoration to verandah posts and balustrades; the second in Federal Gothic style with battlement parapet and pointed arches to window openings. The third stage of development circa 1970 is not significant. The Grosvenor Hotel has operated on the property since 1886. A two-storey building was designed by architect Francis Bird in 1885/1886 and forms the original part of the hotel. Two new wings to the building were constructed in 1887 and 1898 respectively. In 1888 the hotel was advertised as being located in the most desirable and healthy part of Perth and within easy distance to the Town Hall and was an alternative to the hotels located close to the train line. The hotel had many owners including Mayor of City of Perth Stephen Henry Parker. Viola Pittman and her family owned the hotel for 40 years from 1923. During the 1950s it was associated with the Perth Football Club which was based at the WA Cricket Ground (WACA) when team members and associates met for drinks and gatherings. Internal renovations have occurred over time which reflected the changes how people used the hotel. For example the need for accommodation decreased as the demand for bigger function spaces increased in the late twentieth century.

Integrity/Authenticity

High level of integrity. Medium level of authenticity as there is some loss of original detail externally and internally.

Condition

Very Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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