Commonwealth Hotel, 95-101 Napier Street, ST ARNAUD
95-101 Napier Street ST ARNAUD, NORTHERN GRAMPIANS SHIRE
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Statement of Significance
The Commonwealth Hotel, 95-101 Napier Street, St. Arnaud, makes a significant contribution to the predominantly Victorian and Federation streetscape. This building forms one of only three grand hotels in the town and it was built in 1901 for the local and well-known businessman, William Bray. The building replaced the earlier Union Tavern, and was designed by Clegg, Kell and Miller with a two storey cast iron balcony/verandah that has subsequently been removed.
Although altered, the Commonwealth Hotel is architecturally significant at a LOCAL level. It demonstrates original design qualities of a Federation Free Classical style. These qualities include the two storey composition, brick wall construction (but not paintwork), and particularly the parapet of open interlocking circles, regularly spaced piers with small stylised pediments, central pediment with sculptural relief and the flanking piers surmounted by urns and adorned with stylised pediments above vermiculate relief panels. Other intact qualities include the decorative, dentillated stringcourse accentuated at the centre by a curved projection; flat-arched first floor window and door openings; round arched ground floor window and door openings; timber framed double hung windows; and the first floor sidelights and transom in door opening.
The Commonwealth Hotel and site are historically significant at a LOCAL level. They are associated with the Union Tavern hotel, which was originally on this site and replaced by the Commonwealth Hotel in 1901. This hotel building is associated with the original owner, William Bray, a local and well-known businessman who had emigrated from Cornwall. It is also associated with the architects, Clegg, Kell and Miller.
The Commonwealth Hotel and site are historically significant at a LOCAL level. They are recognised and valued by the St. Arnaud community as an important meeting place for social interaction.
Overall, the Commonwealth Hotel and site are of LOCAL significance.
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Commonwealth Hotel, 95-101 Napier Street, ST ARNAUD - Physical Description 1
The Commonwealth Hotel building, 95-101 Napier Street, St. Arnaud, makes an important architectural and visual contribution to the predominantly Victorian and Federation streetscape. In addition, this hotel building is one of the three grand hotels in the centre of the town (the other hotels being the Botanical and Victoria).
The two storey, recently painted brick, Federation Free Classical styled hotel building is characterised by the parapet of open interlocking circles, regularly spaced piers with small stylised pediments, central pediment with sculptural relief and the flanking piers surmounted by urns and adorned with stylised pediments above vermiculate relief panels. The parapet is supported by a decorative, dentillated stringcourse accentuated at the centre by a curved projection. The bays of windows openings on the first floor have early flat-arched heads with early timber framed double hung windows within. The central doorway is also original but altered, with the original sidelights and transom intact. The other first floor door opening is also altered, and the "Commonwealth Hotel" signage is a recent addition.
Between the ground and first floors is evidence of the original cast iron verandah that once adorned the building. The verandah was removed in the mid 1960s and the lower storey cast iron posts and frieze and the upper storey balustrade are in storage. The upper storey posts and cast iron frieze adorn a house at 29 Silvermines Road and could therefore be accessed for recasting if required. The remaining original window and door openings are characterised by round arches with timber frames. The windows are double hung and the glazed doors appear to be recent. The banks of aluminium framed windows along the right end of the ground floor are recent and inappropriate. Additional inappropriate and introduced elements include the colour, location and form of the various signage over the building.
Heritage Study and Grading
Northern Grampians - Shire of Northern Grampians - Stage 2 Heritage Study
Author: Wendy Jacobs, Vicki Johnson, David Rowe, Phil Taylor
Year: 2004
Grading: Local
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CROWN LAND OFFICEVictorian Heritage Register H1530
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ST ARNAUD RAILWAY STATIONVictorian Heritage Register H1594
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LORD NELSON TAILINGS DUMPVictorian Heritage Inventory
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