Grand Hotel

Statement of Significance

The townsite is a reminder of a way of life now departed. The hotel is the last remaining substantial building in Kookynie that has continued to operate as originally built, and as part of the town it is a memorial to those remote settlements which thrived in a harsh environment and all but disappeared when the gold mines closed down.

Physical Description

The building is truncated at the corner and its principal facade addresses Britannia Street. The brickwork of the street facades is laid in English bond. The external walls sit on a bull-nosed brick plinth and are reinforced with brick piers. The walls extend beyond the verandah roof to form a parapet. A lean-to verandah roof wraps the street elevations (replaced across Britannia Street elevation). The verandah roof is supported on galvanised iron columns. The main roof features corbelled brick chimneys and gablet vents. The exterior of the building features recessed double-hung sash windows with large panes and rendered sills, awning fanlights (some painted) and timber panelled doors with skylights. The main entrance retains etched side-lights. The interior comprises bar and accommodation facilities. The interior has pressed metal ceilings with decorative metal ceiling roses, cornices (not all extant) and simple arches. Rooms without windows have had skylights installed. Floors are predominantly timber with some concrete areas. A concrete rear verandah (addition) was partially enclosed in the 1960s to accommodate toilets, and in the late 1960s, a three-roomed outbuilding that accommodated staff was removed. The bar has been extended with a side verandah enclosure to accommodate a pool table. The enclosure has louvred windows. A fascia has been added to protect the street elevations, some sections have been replaced and one section is missing. Cyclonic floods of February/March 1995 caused damage to the building. The interior was flooded to about 600mm high. The extent of the flood damage includes fretted bricks on the external leaf, render damage to internal walls and damage to timber skirtings, floorboards and floor sub-structure.

History

The North Coolgardie Herald reported in 1902 of the opening of a new hotel in Kookynie: The new hotel which has just been erected for Mr M.J. OfCeefe, opposite the railway station is one of the finest in Kookynie. The rooms are large, spacious, well lighted and well ventilated. The building is of brick, and has a 12ft. verandah on two sides. The ceilings are 14ft. high. There are two principle entrances - the main hall and the private hall. The public and saloon bars are very roomy, and the parlour and sitting-room are furnished with walnut and leather suites, in the latter being a splendid Ronish piano. There is a spacious dining-room, which is furnished very tastefully. The bedrooms throughout are 12 x 10ft, and are well furnished. The wood and brickwork has been carried out by Messrs H. Rasmussen and H. Abbott, respectively, and the painting and decorating by Mr Saville. The whole of the work has been carried out under the supervision of Mr F.G. Worthy, clerk of works, according to plans prepared by MrF. Evans. [NCH01/12/1902, p.2] The Grand Hotel was featured again, in the Kookynie Advocate in 1903, the report extolling the virtues of the hotel: The Grand Hotel (Tattersalls) - This handsome building serves as a good introduction to Kookynie. Immediately opposite the railway gates, it at once attracts the eyes of the visitors both by its handsome appearance and the convenience that its position at the comer of Britannia and Champion Streets, affords travellers who desire to obtain any form of refreshment. ... The Grand Hotel is a handsome burnt-brick building with white facings and tuck pointed. ... Pepper trees have also bee planted around these two [vemadahed] frontages, and as they grow up their cooling influence will be felt in proportion to the ornamental effect they will naturally have. ... Stamped zinc has been used throughout for the ceilings, and the handsome style of decoration that has been followed does much to enhance the artistic effectiveness of the whole. [Kookynie Advocate 15/08/1903, p.4] Although Kookynie is only a shadow of its former self, the Grand Hotel continues to provide refreshments and accommodation.

Integrity/Authenticity

INTEGRITY: Moderate Degree AUTHENTICITY: Moderate Degree

Condition

Poor-Fair

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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