Park Hotel (fmr)

Statement of Significance

The place is a fine example of a Federation Free Classical style building, with elaborate stucco decoration above the ground floor level, that makes a significant contribution to the streetscape.

Physical Description

A two storey building, originally pointed brick with rendered detailing, originally had a double storey verandah. The original verandah was removed and replaced with an upstairs balcony, which later collapsed. The side elevation onto Ellen Street has remained.
The Ellen Street facade has low relief pilasters with simple decoration, demarcating the entrances and at the corners of the building. The cornice detailing continues on the pilasters. The building has timber framed sash windows surrounded by a simple stucco architrave with a slight arch. The entrances have /had arched doorways. A moulded continuous sill detail together with the cornices give a feeling of horizontality. A deep moulded cornice delineates the floors the cornice terminates at the sill of the first floor windows. A similarly detailed cornice rises above the windows. A simply decorated parapet conceals the roof line (now tiled). The stucco and brick chimneys with corbelling are intact.

History

The Park Hotel (fmr) was established in 1893. The hotel was extended four years later to double its size and frontage to Parry St. Both were designed by J Talbot Hobbs for the owner Abraham Moise Josephson.
Joseph Talbot Hobbs was a partner in the firm Hobbs, Smith and Forbes. He joined the volunteer field artillery and became a Colonel with the first contingent to sail from Perth in World War 1. He served at Gallipoli and finally commanded the Australian Corps from 1918-19. He was the Aide de Campe to the Governer General and was knighted in 1918. He filled many public posts.
The Josephson family owned the hotel for over eighty years. The Josephson family played a major role in the formation of the Jewish congregation in Fremantle.
In the 1990s a portion of the façade collapsed. The building was subsequently restored under the direction of Philip McAllister Architect.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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This data is provided by the City of Fremantle. While every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of this data, the City of Fremantle makes no representations or warranties about its accuracy, reliability, completeness or suitability for any particular purpose and disclaims all responsibility and all liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages (including indirect or consequential damage) and costs which you might incur as a result of the data being inaccurate or incomplete in any way and for any reason. Under no circumstances should this data be used to carry out any work without first contacting the City of Fremantle for the appropriate confirmation and approval.