Sydney Architecture Images- The Rocks and the Quay

The Orient Hotel

architect

 builder James Chapman

location

 George Street North

date

 1844

style

 Victorian Regency

construction

 brick with render

type

 Pub
 
 
This site was in the original grounds of Sydney's first hospital complex and later was enclosed by fencing to become a part of the Surgeon General's residence. In June 1828, the allotment was part of a land grant made to John Piper. Piper sold his grant to Mary Reiby on June 30, 1828 who had, by November 1828, conveyed the property to Frederic Wright Unwin. By 1841 Unwin subdivided the above grant and adjoining lands. In February 1842, James Chapman purchased Lots 1 and 2 (89 and 87 George Street, respectively). During 1843-4, Chapman built a house and a shop on this site at the corner of Argyle and George Streets. By 1853, the house had become a hotel called the 'Marine Hotel', which became the 'Orient Hotel' in 1884. The residence erected by Chapman was described in 1845 as being constructed of brick with shingle roof, three storeys high with basement, possessing 'every convenience'. The original single storey shop at 87 George Street seems to have been a single storey structure, operated as a butchers shop by Chapman until his death in 1858. The shop remained until 1930-31 when Tooth & Co. replaced it with the present Art Nouveau additions to the Orient Hotel. The use of the hotel continued to operate as such until resumed in March 1901 by the Minister of Public Works, under the jurisdiction of The Rocks Resumption Board. Tenants to the shop and stables between 1860-83 were: Thomas Hunter, poultry dealer, 1860-62; Henry Morris, fruiterer, 1863; Law & Tinsley, produce stores (hay/corn), 1870-71; vacant 1871-72; Daniel Cahill and Charles Bassern, boarding house, 1873-75; Mrs Mary Boddy, green grocer, 1876-81; and William House, butcher, 1882-83. In 1884, the shop and sheds were used as a foundry and workshop by Alexander McLeod (brass founder, plumber, engineer blacksmith). In 1899, Lee Jim operated a laundry business in the buildings. After the resumptions, the shop and sheds continued to be used by small businesses before being demolished in 1930. The additions and alterations works to the building in 1922 and 1929 were documented by the architect, W. H. Foggitt (known today as the architect in control of the design and construction of buildings at the Dacey Garden Suburb, Daceyville). The premises was owned by the Maritime Services Board prior to ownership passing to the Sydney Cove Redevelopment Authority in 1968. The hotel had been leased to breweries such as Tooth & Co. Ltd in the 1920's through to the 1940's, and Millers Brewery Pty Ltd from 1960. As part of the Authority's Scheme, it was decided to retain the Orient Hotel as a permanent feature - the Orient was recognised as the largest existing hotel within the development area, in a strategic corner location. Historical Summary: 1845 - 3 storey residence and single storey butcher shop erected by James Chapman; 1848 - brick stable and wood shed additions noted; 1851 - property also used as public house, the 'Marine Hotel' (Chapman probable publican); butcher shop operated until 1858; 1859 - Marine Hotel conveyed to James Kelly (April); 1866 - Shop owned by John Donahue; 1870 - Shop purchased by Robert Drysdale; 1876 - Hotel sold to Gustave Buckham (March), renamed 'Buckham's Hotel'; 1878-82 - 'May's Family Hotel'; 1882-84 - 'Pries Family Hotel' (John Prie manager); 1884 - 'Orient Hotel' (Walter Abercrombie licensee), shop and sheds converted to foundry and workshop; 1896 - Hotel bought by John Branelly; 1901 - premises resumed (March) by Minister of Public Works, under jurisdiction of Rocks Resumption Board; 1920's/1930's - Major extensive additions and alterations (shop and sheds demolished 1930); 1978 - extensive building work (interior and exterior); 1980-84 - minor alterations (ground and first floors); 1988 - extensive internal alterations, much original fabric removed. (SCRA 1979: KL/01) [Archaeological History - Surgeon's residence. Grounds of original Sydney Hospital (See also: AR038; AR045; AR057-058; AR061-070; AR073-074; AR078-079; AR084-085; AR126; AR129; AR131-132; AR149). Granted to John Piper (See also: AR038; AR045; AR126) as 184 rods on 4 June 1828.]

Thanks to http://www.shfa.nsw.gov.au/dyncontent.cfm?MenuID=285 

 

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