Royal Hotel (Former)
85 Nelson Place WILLIAMSTOWN, Hobsons Bay City
Nelson Place Heritage Precinct
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Statement of Significance
The Royal Hotel, designed by T Athoness and constructed by Henry Hick in 1890, at 85 Nelson Place, Williamstown.
How is it Significant?The Royal Hotel is of local historic, social and aesthetic significance to the City of Hobsons Bay.
Why is it Significant?Historically, it is significant as an illustration of the prosperity of Williamstown during the mid to late nineteenth century and illustrates the improvements made to hotels as a result of changes to licensing laws during this time. (AHC criteria A4 and D2)
Aesthetically, it is architecturally significant as an almost original highly mannered early and successful use of the Elizabethan revival style, perhaps the most successful outside of Melbourne city. (AHC criteria E1 and F1)
Socially, it illustrates the importance of hotels as community meeting places in Williamstown during the nineteenth century. (AHC criterion G1)
Note: Included on the Victorian Heritage Register as VHR H1770.
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Royal Hotel (Former) - Physical Description 1
The Royal Hotel is a Jacobean/Elizabethan/Queen Anne revival building of three storeys and built of face red brickwork with profuse and distinctive stucco ornament. Divided into three bays, this highly mannered design is characterized by its two Flemish gables to the flanking bays and an incomplete central bay topped with a large rectangular brick panel. Adorned with a cement garland it is supported by circle-quadrants on either side. A wide arch placed on squat, stylised columns and superposed on taller ones below, houses a pair of glazed doors which open to a pair of balconettes, one over the others. Here the iron balustrading is bellied out in a fine French flavoured pattern. Twin arched entrance doors flank a wider arched bar window, in the manner of the facade above, which has a Romanesque inspired crow-stepped architrave.
Comparison may be made with the Winfield Building, Collins Street, Melbourne.
Royal Hotel (Former) - Integrity
External Integrity and condition
Integrity - High. Condition - Good. The crowning central pediment is gone and some brick work is painted but otherwise generally original.
Condition - Good.
Royal Hotel (Former) - Physical Description 2
Context
The hotel is a somewhat isolated and dominating building located opposite the port, which is part of a chain of early hotels along Nelson Place and within proximity of the waterfront . It links the former Oriental (q.v.), and former Prince of Wales Hotel (q.v.) with the Nelson Place commercial precinct.
Royal Hotel (Former) - Historical Australian Themes
Developing local, regional and national economies, Lodging people
Royal Hotel (Former) - Physical Description 3
Associations
Thomas De Wardt, T Athoness, Henry Hick
Heritage Study and Grading
Hobsons Bay - Hobsons Bay Heritage Study
Author: Hobsons Bay City Council
Year: 2006
Grading:
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FORMER MORGUEVictorian Heritage Register H1512
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WILLIAMSTOWN PRIMARY SCHOOLVictorian Heritage Register H1639
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RESIDENCEVictorian Heritage Register H0487
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"1890"Yarra City
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"AMF Officers" ShedMoorabool Shire
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"AQUA PROFONDA" SIGN, FITZROY POOLVictorian Heritage Register H1687
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