Old Kalamunda Hotel

Statement of Significance

The following statement is drawn from the Register entry for the inclusion of the place on the State Register of Heritage Places in 2005.

Physical Description

The original hotel is a two storey brick structure of federation filigree style incorporating concrete detailing and brick parapet with concrete coping. A verandah/balcony extends across the front elevation with timber columns and bracketed supports with a simple timber balustrade to the upper level. The canopy is of red colorbond in a skillion style. The main roof to the hotel is hidden behind the brick parapets but is of single pitch, sloping away from the front of the building and is clad with grey colorbond. The front elevation is punctuated by sash windows to both levels and is enhanced by the chamfered corner at the southern end of the façade, which originally incorporated an entrance into the hotel/bar, the brick arch around the original opening with feature keystone and hood moulding remains extant. At the northern end of the façade a shop frontage has been introduced with a chequerboard fascia above the window. The main entrance to the hotel is between the two rendered pilasters on the Railway Road façade.
Although altered much of the original detailing has been retained enabling the building to still be read as it was originally designed.

History

Technology, hospitality, sport and recreation

Integrity/Authenticity

Level of Integrity - Moderate; Level of Authenticity - Moderate

Condition

Good In 1901, the town of Kalamunda was laid out with the road parallel to the rail line (Railway Road) designated as the main town street. Lots 20, 21 and 22 on Railway Road were purchased by a Midland publican, Harry Hummerston, who immediately set about the construction of what was the second brick building in the area - the first being the Agricultural Hall - to be operated as a hotel. The bricks used in the construction of the hotel were made on the Stirk property, less than a quarter of a mile away. A joiner made all the fittings, such as doors, windows and counters, on site. By February 1902, an application for a Provisional Certificate for the hotel was granted to Richard E. Hummerston. On 25 June 1902, the Hotel was opened, having been completed for a cost of £2,000. There is no record of who designed or built the premises. Not long after the Kalamunda Hotel opened, the surrounding area became increasingly popular as a resort town and continued into the 1920s when motor transport became more important. Sometime in the late 1920s, the Kalamunda Hotel was purchased by Patrick Andrew (‘Paddy’) Connolly who, in 1927-1928, built a new hotel alongside the original 1902 hotel building. After the new Hotel’s opening in the first half of 1928 the combined buildings could accommodate 50 guests. The new Hotel also provided a spacious Lounge, Drawing, Dining, and Billiard Rooms. With the transference of the Liquor License to the new Hotel in 1927, the ground floor of the 1902 building was turned into shops and used for various office and commercial purposes. One of these housed the town’s first bank (the E.S.&A. Bank), others, the booking office for the local taxi company, and the local newspaper. Kalamunda maintained its popularity as a tourist resort throughout the 1930s and early 1940s but declined thereafter. By 1948, most of Kalamunda’s hostels and boarding houses had closed down as motor travel and improved roads enabled other areas of Western Australia to compete with the established holiday destinations. Connolly was Western Australia’s most successful racehorse owner, with a record unlikely to be bettered. However as he aged, Connolly became increasingly reclusive and eccentric and on his death in 1948 his fortune passed largely to charities. Both buildings remained unchanged until the 1970s. In the 1970s the property changed hands and proposals to demolish the buildings met with local opposition. Subsequent owners have undertaken alterations and additions that have integrated the two buildings and maintained the majority of the original built fabric. The hotel, consisting of the 1902 and 1928 buildings, was included on the State Register of Heritage Places on a permanent basis in 2005.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.