Gordons Hotel (fmr)

Statement of Significance

Gordon's Hotel (fmr), a two storey brick and iron hotel building, has cultural heritage significance because: the hotel was one of a number built during the Gold Boom period in Bunbury to cater for both the growing population and Bunbury's growing popularity as a sea-side resort; operating on the same site for over 100 years, the hotel contributes to the community's sense of place; the place has landmark qualities and contributes to the streetscape.

Physical Description

Gordon's Hotel (fmr) is a single storey brick and iron hotel building constructed in the federation period. The walls or painted and rendered brick and the roof is gabled and clad with corrugated iron. The front facade is located on the front boundary line and contains apirs of doors and double hung sash windows. There is a verandah to the upper floor with a timber lattice balustrade. The building has undergone extensive alterations and may have had approval for demolition in 2010 which has since expired.

History

Gordon’s Hotel was built in 1895/6 for Harold Gordon to plans prepared by architect, Thomas B Jackson. Soon after the hotel was completed, the Bunbury Town Council agreed to lay down footpaths in front of the new hotel. In 1895 Mr Harold Colville Gordon was the licensee of the Pier Hotel (B113) in Ommaney Street. He built Gordon’s Hotel next door on Victoria Street to cater for the increase of visitors to Bunbury as a result of the gold rush. It has been recorded that guests would stay at the Pier Hotel as it offered better views of Koombanah Bay but that they would eat at Gordon’s Hotel. The Pier Hotel was demolished in 1954. Farmers would often stay at both hotels as they were located across a small park from Thomas Hayward’s store, where they purchased supplies. The hotels were also located near the Union Rooms of the Waterside Workers and attracted the patronage of sailors on shore leave. Gordon’s Hotel was used by many organisations for meetings. The Ancient Order of Druids held meetings there c 1896, the Missions to Seamen from 1900 to 1903 and the Bunbury Harbour Board used the same rooms to hold their meetings from 1909 to 1956. Along with a number of other hotels and guest houses, Gordon’s Hotel was built in response to the growing popularity of Bunbury as a holiday resort during the 1890s. Under the management of H C Gordon, and later of Jim Leslie, Gordon’s became a popular hotel. No doubt its popularity was due in part to its proximity to the sea baths. An advertisement in the Bunbury Herald in 1895 described the hotel as a ‘salubrious seaside home with first class accommodation’ and that there was fishing, boating and sea bathing close to the hotel. The liquors were the best and the proprietor was Harold C. Gordon. In 1904, Gordon’s Hotel was described as being one of the most striking buildings in town, along with the Rose Hotel and Burlington Hotel. In 1910 an advertisement for Gordon’s Hotel appeared in the Bunbury Herald announcing that J. C. Braidwood formerly of the Late Victoria Hotel in Collie, was the new proprietor. The new motto for the hotel was “everything of the best.” When Rolf Stene took over Gordon’s in the 1980s, he changed the name to ‘Captain Bunbury’, but in spite of an extensive refurbishment program, the hotel was not popular. The name was then shortened to ‘Bunbury’ but it was only after the ground floor was gutted and extended to the Pier Hotel site and the name changed to ‘The Reef’ that it again had broad appeal.

Integrity/Authenticity

Low to medium degree of integrity (original intent partially clear, low long term sustainability). Low to medium degree of authenticity with the loss of some of the original fabric. (These statements based on street survey only).

Condition

Condition assessed as poor to fair (assessed from streetscape survey only).

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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