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Sydney Architecture
Images- The Rocks
Observer Hotel |
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architect |
Halligan & Wilton |
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location |
69 George Street The Rocks NSW 2000 |
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date |
1908 |
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style |
Federation Free Style Art Nouveau |
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construction |
brick |
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type |
Pub |
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History The Observer Tavern was constructed in 1848 as a two storeyed, six room public house. The tavern was owned by Robert White from 1847 till his death in 1875, after which the hotel was managed by his trustees, Benjamin Palmer and Thomas Moore. The land was resumed in 1901 under The Observatory Hill Resumption Act, 1900. In 1908 Tooth and Co. purchased the site and held freehold title. The Sydney Cove Redevelopment Authority resumed the land in 1977. Rumour abounds that the hotel has its own resident ghost, which is said to be the spirit of a woman murdered by the then republican, N. Grindall, in 1944. |
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| The Observer Hotel demonstrates the rebuilding of the Rocks in the post-plague era and is a well-preserved example of a small, one bar, hotel. Despite a number of alterations, the hotel is remarkably intact on the first and second floors and the original layout and most of the details are discernible and retrievable on the ground floor. The Observer Hotel, which boldly addresses the corner of George Street North and Mill Lane in the Federation Free Style, contributes to the historic and architectural diversity of the George Street North streetscape. The series of footpath awnings reflects social and legislative changes regarding shelter of footpaths and society's attitude towards 'restoration' of 'original' detail. (Robertson & Hindmarsh 1990: 23) | |
| The land was part of Lot 10 of Frederic Wright Unwin's subdivision, who in 1847 conveyed lot 10 of his subdivision to Robert White Moore who in 1948 erected a two storey six roomed public house called the 'Observer Tavern' which was constructed with brick walls timber floors and a shingled roof. By 1851 Moore had completed the installation of a kitchen to the roof of the public house giving the hotel a total of eight rooms. The property was resumed in 1901 under the Observatory Hill Resumption Act 1900. The public house was demolished in 1906-1907. The present hotel was constructed in 1908-1909 on the site of the former 'Observer Tavern' and part of the site of 67 George Street North. The remainder of this site was used to widen Mill Lane, part of Sydney Harbour Trust's efforts to improve conditions in The Rocks. In 1908 Tooth & Co. purchased the site and held freehold title until the land was again resumed by the SCRA on 18 December 1977. (SCRA 1979: KL/10; Robertson & Hindmarsh 1990: 3-6) Following the preparation of a Conservation Plan in 1990, conservation work commenced on the hotel in1991. As a result of the finding of significant archaeological remains, the design of the rear additions was changed to preserve these elements and enable their viewing by the public. The hotel was reopened in August, 1992. (SCRA Annual Report 1992: 18) [Archaeology Notes: Lease to William Balmain (See also: AR034-037; AR044-045; AR145; AR149) by 1800. Lease to William Gaudry (See also: AR034-037; AR044), January 1810. Granted as Lot 2, Section 85 to William Carr and G.J. Rogers (See also: AR034-037; AR044; AR126), solicitors, as trustees for James Shepherd, Richard Wood, Nathaniel Dermot, James Webber and Edmund Pontifex, assignees of estate of John Plummer and William Wilson, formerly Fenchurch Street, London, merchants and bankrupts. The current Observer Hotel was built in 1909, replacing the Waterman's Arms and Observer Tavern (built 1844 and 1848 respectively). These in turn had been constructed on the site of the house owned by artist Frederick Garling in the 1820s.] | |
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www.sydneyarchitecture.com |
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links |
http://www.observerhotel.com.au/1.html |