National Hotel (Fremantle)

Last updated

National Hotel
WTFr Nov 2011 gnangarra-39.jpg
National Hotel (Fremantle)
General information
TypeHotel
Architectural styleFederation Free Classical
LocationCorner High and Market Streets
Address98 High Street, Fremantle
Town or cityFremantle
CountryAustralia
Coordinates 32°03′16″S115°44′46″E / 32.054423°S 115.746192°E / -32.054423; 115.746192 (National Hotel) OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Opened1886
Renovated1895, 1902, 1953, 1995, 2001–02, 2012–14
OwnerCarnegies [1] [2]
Technical details
Floor count5 (including basement)
Renovating team
Architect(s)Louis Pearce (1902)
Allen & Nichols (1953)
Michael Patroni (1995)
Website
www.nationalhotelfremantle.com.au OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
TypeState Registered Place
Part of West End, Fremantle (25225)
Reference no. 926

The National Hotel is on the corner of High and Market Streets Fremantle. Originally built as a shop in 1868, it was occupied by the National Bank in the early 1880s. When the bank relocated in 1886, the building became the National Hotel.

Contents

Original building

The site was originally occupied by a single storey shop in 1868 [3] which was run in 1869 by Abraham Moise Josephson [4] (who was later a successful pearl merchant). [5] During the early 1880s the building was occupied by a branch of the National Bank of Australasia. In 1886 the branch relocated to a premises in High Street opposite Sandover's store. Later that year the building was converted into a hotel retaining the name as the National Hotel. The site and building was then owned by John J. Higham, a local merchant and businessman. [3] William Conroy became the first landlord of the National Hotel on 6 September 1886, [6] but ceased this occupation less than a year later when at 12:45 am on 24 June 1887 he confronted Councillor John Snook in the Fremantle Town Hall. [7] Conroy shot Snook in the jaw. Snook subsequently died three months later. Conroy was tried and hanged for his murder. [8] [9] In 1891 Higham sold the property to Mr. James E. Hagan. [10] In 1895 the building underwent a major reconstruction, with F. W. Welford taking over as proprietor. [11]

New (extant) building

The hotel was subsequently acquired by Michael and Daniel Mulcahy who came to Western Australia to prospect for gold and enjoyed great success, going on to become prominent hotel proprietors and pastoralists. In 1902 they enlisted the architect Louis Pearce to prepare plans to rebuild a more modern and commodious hotel, worthy of its position in the centre of Fremantle.

The original two storey hotel was to be replaced with a new hotel of five storeys including a basement. The hotel was to be constructed of stone and brick with stone forming the foundations and the lower portions of the walls with the brick above. The plans included a right-of-way from Market Street, and balconies totalling 140 metres (450 ft) in length and about 2.7 metres (9 ft) in width. The wall height was 14 metres (45 ft), extending to 21 metres (70 ft) from the ground to the top of the dome, the flag pole being a further 6.4 metres (21 ft) high. Internally, there was to be a total of between 50 and 60 rooms with provisions of 4.0 metres (13 ft) ceilings on the ground floor to 3.7 metres (12 ft) ceilings on the other floors as well as spacious stairways and corridors. The basement contained a large kitchen, three cellars two wine store rooms, a scullery, storeroom and servants' dining room. [12] [13]

The West Australian in 1902 stated that "The architect has, throughout, apparently, striven to produce something which will reflect the highest credit upon his profession, and when the building is completed, it should form a valuable addition to the architecture of Fremantle." [12] The National Hotel was anticipated to cost between 7,000 and 8,000 pounds. [12]

By 1907 M. Byrne had taken over as proprietor of the hotel. [11]

Michael Mulcahy died in July 1917 [14] and his brother, Daniel, died in June 1925 [15] with the hotel remaining in the family ownership. By 1948 ownership had changed to Mr. T. Dean who also owned the Central Hotel in Perth. [16]

In 1953 the building underwent further changes, and in 1975 the top floor was destroyed by fire. In 1995 the owners commenced extensive restoration work with the facade and 1st floor balconies, in 2007 while closed and nearing completion of redevelopment work the building was again set on fire resulting in substantial damage. [17] [18] In 2009 the building was sold to Carnegies, an international hospitality chain. Since then the building has been the subject of restoration efforts; the first stage reopening occurred in December 2013 with the remainder including a rooftop restaurant due towards the end of 2018.[ needs update ] [1] [19]

Timeline

DateOwnerProprietorNotes
1868N/AShop
1869Abraham Moise Josephson (–1908)"
National Bank"Bank
1886John J. HighamWilliam ConroyFirst hotel licence.
1887"
1891James E. Hagan
1895Frederick William Welford
Michael and Daniel Mulcahy
1898James Jackson [20]
1907M. Byrne
1948T. Dean
1981Robert Stasinowsky [21] Robert's parents had earlier managed the Commercial Hotel, and then the Newmarket. [21]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">108 St Georges Terrace</span> Skyscraper in Perth, Western Australia

108 St Georges Terrace or South32 Tower is a 50-storey office tower in Perth, Western Australia. Completed in 1988, the building measures 214 metres (702 ft) to its roof and 247 metres (810 ft) to the tip of its communications antenna. It was the tallest building in Perth from its completion in 1988 until 1992 when it was overtaken in height by Central Park. As of 2023, it is the third-tallest building in the city. The concrete tower has a distinctive profile, with a triangular plan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Round House (Western Australia)</span> Former gaol in Fremantle, Western Australia

The Round House was the first permanent building built in the Swan River Colony. Built in late 1830 and opened in 1831, it is the oldest building still standing in Western Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fremantle Town Hall</span> Town hall in Fremantle, Western Australia

Fremantle Town Hall is a town hall located in the portside city of Fremantle, Western Australia, and situated on the corner of High, William and Adelaide Streets. The official opening, on 22 June 1887, coincided with the celebration of Queen Victoria's Jubilee and it was formally named by the mayor, Daniel Keen Congdon and the state governor, Frederick Broome, as the Town and Jubilee Hall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Queen Victoria Street, Fremantle</span> Road in Fremantle, Western Australia

Queen Victoria Street is the main road entering the city centre of Fremantle, Western Australia, from the direction of Perth. The road was originally named Cantonment Road, but was subsequently renamed Victoria Road, and a few years later Queen Victoria Street, after Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, to avoid confusion with similarly named roads in the area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Esplanade Hotel (Fremantle)</span> Heritage listed building in Fremantle

The Esplanade Hotel is a hotel located opposite Esplanade Park in Fremantle, Western Australia. The building stands on the site of the first building used for housing convicts transported from Great Britain in 1850.

Milly Milly Station, most commonly referred to as Milly Milly, is a pastoral lease and operating sheep and cattle station located about 188 kilometres (117 mi) west of Meekatharra in the Mid-West of Western Australia. The neighbouring stations are Nookawarra to the south and Beringarra Station to the northeast.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">High Street, Fremantle</span> Street in Fremantle, Western Australia

High Street is the main street running through the City of Fremantle, Western Australia. The street passes by historic landmarks, including the Round House, the Fremantle Town Hall, and the Fremantle War Memorial, through the Fremantle West End Heritage area and through two town squares. Trams operated along High Street for 47 years, between 1905 and 1952. Running east–west, High Street continues as Leach Highway, a major arterial road, at Stirling Highway, linking Fremantle with Perth Airport although the stretch of road between Stirling Highway and Carrington Street is known locally—and signed—as High Street.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kings Square, Fremantle</span> Town square in Fremantle, Western Australia

Walyalup Koort, formerly known as Kings Square (or King's Square), is a town square in Fremantle, Western Australia. It is bounded by Queen, Newman, William, and Adelaide Streets. Though the square was originally a public reserve, it has been the site of Saint John's Church of England since 1843, and the Fremantle Town Hall since 1887. High Street was extended through and beyond the square in the 1880s, but the portion through the square was closed off in the 1960s. Today Kings Square functions as a civic and cultural centre of Fremantle, with modern events taking place adjacent to the historic buildings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marich Buildings, Fremantle</span> Heritage listed building in Fremantle, Western Australia

The Marich Buildings is a single two-storey building at the corner of Henry and High Streets in Fremantle, Western Australia, and dates from c.1897; there were several single-storey shops on the site including one occupied by butchers Henry Albert & Co.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orient Hotel (Fremantle)</span> Building in Fremantle, Western Australia

The Orient Hotel is on the corner of High and Henry Streets in Fremantle, and was designed by Michael Cavanagh. Built by Atkin and Law in 1902/03, the building was owned by Thomas O'Beirne. Since it was built it has continued to be a hotel though it has had a number of proprietors including the Parry family from 1923 to 1971. Restoration works have been carried out on the building a number of times. Extensive works in 1995 included the replacement of the two story verandas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mouat Street, Fremantle</span> Street in Fremantle, Western Australia

Mouat Street is a 300-metre-long (980 ft) street in Fremantle, Western Australia. Historically, the name was often spelled as Mouatt Street.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henry Street, Fremantle</span> Street in Fremantle, Western Australia

Henry Street is a 400-metre-long (1,300 ft) street in Fremantle, Western Australia. It was named after John Henry, second lieutenant of HMS Challenger. It was developed very early in the history of the Swan River Colony with licensed premises being located as early as 1833.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Metropolis Fremantle</span> Theatre and music venue in Fremantle, Western Australia

Metropolis Fremantle, formerly known as King's Theatre, is a performance venue and nightclub located at 58 South Terrace, Fremantle, adjacent to the Sail and Anchor Hotel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Alfred Davies</span> Australian politician

George Alfred Davies was an Australian-born Mayor of his native Fremantle. He was a founding director of the Fremantle Building Society and a Justice of the Peace. He built the Oddfellows Hotel in Fremantle, which became the heritage listed Norfolk Hotel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Norfolk Hotel, Fremantle</span> Hotel in Fremantle, Western Australia

The Norfolk Hotel is located on the corner of South Terrace and Norfolk Street in Fremantle, Western Australia. The stone built hotel was originally constructed in 1887 before the 1893 Kalgoorlie gold rush for George Alfred Davies, a vintner, local councillor and Mayor of Fremantle. For most of its life it was known as the Oddfellows Hotel; it was renamed when it was substantially renovated in 1985.

William Conroy was the last person executed at the Perth Gaol. Conroy was convicted of murdering Fremantle Town Councillor John Snook.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Federal Hotel, Fremantle</span>

The Federal Hotel is located at 23-25 William Street in Fremantle, Western Australia, opposite the Fremantle Town Hall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scots Presbyterian Church, Fremantle</span> Church in Western Australia

Scots Presbyterian Church is a Presbyterian church located at 90 South Terrace, on the corner of Parry Street, in Fremantle, Western Australia. It was the first Presbyterian Church built in Fremantle and one of only six to decline amalgamation with the Uniting Church.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wilhelmsen House</span> Heritage building in Fremantle, Western Australia

Wilhemsen House, also known as the Elders Building, Elder Building, Barwil House and the Dalgety & Co. Building, is a heritage building located at 11 Cliff Street on the corner of Phillimore Street in the port city of Fremantle, Western Australia. The building dates from the gold rush boom period in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries and is of historic significance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">P&O Hotel (Fremantle)</span> Heritage-listed building in Fremantle, Western Australia

The P&O Hotel is a heritage listed building located at 25 High Street on the corner of Mouat Street in Fremantle, Western Australia. It was one of many commercial buildings constructed in Fremantle during the gold boom period in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century.

References

  1. 1 2 Chris Thomson (2 August 2013). "National Hotel back from the dead". Perth news. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
  2. ↑ Rania Spooner (19 June 2012). "Chain buys historic Freo pub". WAtoday. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
  3. 1 2 "National Hotel (00926)". State Heritage Register. Heritage Council of Western Australia . Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  4. ↑ "The Late A. M. Josephson's Will". The Sunday Times . Perth. 1 March 1908. p. 5 Section: SECOND SECTION. Retrieved 6 May 2014– via National Library of Australia.
  5. ↑ "A. M. Josephson". Fremantle Times. 4 April 1919. Quoted in the Fremantle Library local history collection, ref. 728.5 National Hotel (M).
  6. ↑ "Fremantle Licensing Meeting". Daily News (Perth, Western Australia) . 6 September 1886. p. 3. Retrieved 5 May 2014– via National Library of Australia. William Conroy, publican's general license to sell liquors on the premises recently in the occupation of the National Bank. Mr. Lovegrove appeared for the applicant, and said it was proposed to take the premises the National Bank had vacated, provided the license was granted; if the Bench did not grant the license it would be considered a national grievance. The owners of the property proposed enlarging the building and .making it a bona fide modern hotel After some consideration the license was granted, on condition that dry-earth accommodation be provided and that the stabling be on the opposite side of the road.
  7. ↑ "Trial of Conroy". The Daily News. Perth, WA. 29 July 1887. p. 3. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
  8. ↑ "Execution of William Conroy". The Inquirer & Commercial News . Perth. 23 November 1887. p. 2. Retrieved 23 October 2013– via National Library of Australia.
  9. ↑ "Another Shooting Tragedy at Fremantle". The Western Mail . Perth. 2 July 1887. p. 8. Retrieved 23 October 2013– via National Library of Australia.
  10. ↑ "General News". The Inquirer & Commercial News . Perth. 20 March 1891. p. 3. Retrieved 23 October 2013– via National Library of Australia.
  11. 1 2 James, Jill (1984). Hotels in Fremantle from the Turn of the Century – 1930 (Report). p. appendix 1, p.4. Quotes an advertisement in the Fremantle Register of 7 June 1895.
  12. 1 2 3 "Fremantle Improvements". Perth Gazette . Perth. 6 March 1902. p. 9. Retrieved 22 October 2013– via National Library of Australia.
  13. ↑ "Port Improvements". The Sunday Times . Perth. 18 January 1903. p. 8. Retrieved 22 October 2013– via National Library of Australia.
  14. ↑ "The Late Mr. Michael Mulcahy". The Daily News . Perth. 26 July 1917. p. 5. Retrieved 22 October 2013– via National Library of Australia.
  15. ↑ "The Week at the Port". The Mirror . Perth. 27 June 1925. p. 11. Retrieved 23 October 2013– via National Library of Australia.
  16. ↑ "Licence Sought". The Daily News . Perth. 18 September 1948. p. 10 Edition: First. Retrieved 22 October 2013– via National Library of Australia.
  17. ↑ "Fremantle heritage hotel gutted by fire". The Age . 12 March 2007. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
  18. ↑ "National Hotel can be saved". PerthNow. 12 March 2007. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
  19. ↑ Carmelo Amalfi (8 November 2013). "National to re-open". Fremantle Herald. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
  20. ↑ "News and Notes". The West Australian . Perth. 8 July 1898. p. 4. Retrieved 6 May 2014– via National Library of Australia.
  21. 1 2 "National Hotel". Fremantle Gazette. 18 March 1986.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.