Royal Saxon Hotel (441-445) and shop & residence (447), 441-447 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
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Total copies: 1
Title:
Royal Saxon Hotel (441-445) and shop & residence (447), 441-447 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne
Creator:
Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 103227 1
Level of description:
Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)
Type of materials:
Graphic materialsTextual material
Part of:
Series: Central City (BIF-CITY)
Access restrictions:
UnrestrictedOpen access.
Use restrictions:
UnrestrictedPlease contact City of Melbourne Libraries about obtaining permission to reproduce images.
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Period: Early VictorianCREATION DATE: 1858DESIGNER(S): Shalless, Henry (1879); Wolf, William (1889)BUILDER: Cliff, SamuelASSOCIATIONS:Mortimer, William, Pitches, Peter.ASSOCIATED RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER 2021:.RAWORTH, B 2002. REVIEW OF HERITAGE OVERLAY LISTINGS IN THE CBDfor the City of MelbourneHistory and DescriptionThe former Royal Saxon Hotel was constructed in 1858 for William Mortimer of Collingwood by Samuel Cliff on a site formerly occupied by the Bush Livery Stable. The three-storey hotel is one of Melbourne's earliest surviving and continuously occupied hotels. It is one of only two 1850s hotels within the CBD to have survived with a relatively original exterior. Of Bluestone and brick construction, this Victorian Regency style hotel has an elegantly simple and broadly symmetrical composition. Decorative details such as string courses, quoins, cornices and window treatments are typically understated. A rare and distinctive feature is the pitchedcarriage lane off Elizabeth Street over which the first and second floors of the hotelhave been construct .2 Early photographs of the building show contrasting two storey wings to the north and south of the hotel. The structure to the south has been demolished 4 but the structure to the north remains in good condition and contributes to the significance of the site.The building has been painted and some inappropriate signage has been added hut the building remains in remarkably good and original condition for its age.The building has been classified by the Register of the National Trust.1Statement of SignificanceThe former Royal Saxon Hotel is significant at a local level as one of Melbourne's earliest surviving and continuously occupied hotels within the CBD..GRAEME BUTLER & ASSOCIATES 2011, CENTRAL CITY (HODDLE GRID) HERITAGE REVIEWStatement of SignificanceWhat is significant?Built by Samuel Cliff in 1858 for William Mortimer, then Inspector of the City of Melbourne cattle market and a former innkeeper, the Royal Saxon Hotel is a two and three-storey, brick and stone Regency style hotel building with a carriageway through to the former rear stabling and once flanked by two two-storey stone wings (the southern one having been demolished). As a major hotel building on the then main approach to Melbourne via Elizabeth Street, the hotel was the venue for many key events in early Melbourne history, including inquests, electoral addresses and as meeting rooms for many colonial associations. It was the venue for the meeting that established the Queen Victoria Vegetable wholesale market, as part of its evident lasting connection with the produce market sector at the top of Elizabeth Street. The architects, Henry Shalless (1879); and William Wolf (1889) designed modifications to the building complex in the Victorian-era.The ground floor is of coursed rubble bluestone construction, while the upper two floors are of red brick (now painted). The building's façade reveals simplicity and symmetry of design, with four double-hung sash windows on each of the upper two floors. Each window is crisply delineated by stucco relief edging which forms above the first floor windows a more elaborate key-stone based decoration. Each floor level is distinguished by a string course moulding above the window line on the façade and the building is capped by a short parapet above a heavy projecting cornice. The original distinctive framing quality of the rectangular blocked corner facings has unfortunately now been obscured by their being painted in the same colour as the main body of the façade.The façade at ground floor level has undergone some alteration during the last forty years. A photograph of the Royal Saxon Hotel circa early 1950's in 'Early Melbourne Architecture' depicts the building probably much as it was when built. A central ground floor window, with a wood-panelled lower section, was bracketed by twin arched doorways framed with columns that provided entry into the front bar. This area has now been separated from the hotel proper and converted into retail space. The northern door was originally covered by a verandah which, according to MMBW maps, continued on around the corner into Franklin Street. Entry to the present ground floor entry is by a southern side door under the carriage archway. This timber-ceilinged, pitched carriageway, above which the upper two floors of the hotel were constructed, originally provided access to extensive stabling facilities behind the hotel. The western rubble blue-stone wall of the stables which was a common wall with a neighbouring timber yard (now a car park) has, remarkably, survived.How is it significant?Royal Saxon Hotel is significant historically, socially and aesthetically to the Melbourne Capital City ZoneWhy is it significant?The Royal Saxon Hotel is historically and socially significant as one of Melbourne's earliest surviving and continuously occupied hotels. It is one of a small number of 1850's hotels within central Melbourne to have survived with a relatively original exterior. A rare and distinctive feature is the pitched carriage lane off Elizabeth Street over which the first and second floor of the hotel have been constructed. It was the venue for the meeting that established the Queen Victoria Vegetable wholesale market, as part of its evident lasting connection with the produce market sector at the top of Elizabeth Street.Of bluestone and brick construction, this three-storey Victorian Regency style hotel building is aesthetically significant for its elegantly simple and symmetrical façade composition..GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM cites:Yuncken Freeman Architects P/L 1976.. Historic Buildings Preservation Council Melbourne CBD Study Area 5 (81), page 90-93: states 1859, original use hotel and grocer's shop, stone and brick, once occupied by Bush Livery stables, Purnell 1859 licensee, dining room at 439 (then a new bank, removing symmetry); cites rate books 1860-1 occupied by P Pitches, Recommended to Victorian Heritage Register.City of Melbourne i-Heritage:MCC i-Heritage: Central Activities District Conservation Study - Graeme Butler, 1984 Building Identification Form (BIF): : Alterations / Recommendations: Brick and stone painted (inappropriate - remove by approved method) Upper signs new ( inappropriate - remove or reinstate sympathetic alternative) Shopfront new, shop to south gone, doors new, verandah gone (inappropriate - reinstate original design or sympathetic alternative), Refer Casey et. Altered Early Melb Architecture p. 68 (photo) National Trust of Australia (Vic) Technical Bulletin 8.1 Fences & Gates - class.Description/ External IntegrityThe Royal Saxon Hotel is a three-storey, iron-roofed, Victorian Regency style hotel building. The ground floor is of coursed rubble bluestone construction, while the upper two floors are of red brick (now painted). The building's facade reveals simplicity and symmetry of design, with four double-hung sash windows on each of the upper two floors. Each window is crisply delineated by stucco relief edging which forms above the first floor windows a more elaborate key-stone based decoration. Each floor level is distinguished by a string course moulding above the window line on the facade and the building is capped by a short parapet above a heavy projecting cornice. The original distinctive framing quality of the rectangular blocked corner facings has unfortunately now been obscured by their being painted in the same colour as the main body of the facade.The facade at ground floor level has undergone some alteration during the last forty years. A photograph of the Royal Saxon Hotel circa early 1950's in 'Early Melbourne Architecture' depicts the building probably much as it was when built. A central ground floor window, with a wood-panelled lower section, was bracketed by twin arched doorways framed with columns that provided entry into the front bar. This area has now been separated from the hotel proper and converted into retail space. The northern door was originally covered by a verandah which, according to MMBW maps, continued on around the corner into Franklin Street. Entry to the present ground floor entry is by a southern side door under the carriage archway. This timber-ceilinged, pitched carriageway, above which the upper two floors of the hotel were constructed, originally provided access to extensive stabling facilities behind the hotel. The western rubble blue-stone wall of the stables which was a common wall with a neighbouring timber yard (now a car park) has, remarkably, survived.SignificanceThe Royal Saxon Hotel is significant as one of Melbourne's earliest surviving and continuously occupied hotels. It is one of only two 1850's hotels within central Melbourne to have survived with a relatively original exterior. Of bluestone and brick construction, this three-storey Victorian Regency style hotel building has an elegantly simple and symmetrical composition. A rare and distinctive feature is the pitched carriage lane off Elizabeth Street over which the first and second floor of the hotel have been constructed..PUBLIC RECORDS OFFICE OF VICTORIA (PROV)Melbourne Roll Plan 12, 1856:not shown.CITY OF MELBOURNE BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATIONS1858, 62 (see also many other applications by Wm Mortimer 1853-1856 such as stone store 1853, 2277).VPRO: (447)1954- minor1980 alterations to shop and dwelling441-4451924 6939 alterations to hotel … minor1956 30044 ₤10,000 partitions etc1986 alterations to shop, residence and hotel etc.DE GRUCHY & LEIGH, 1866. ISOMETRICAL PLAN OF MELBOURNE AND SUBURBS IN 18663 storey building, two main hipped roof bays, adjoining 2 storey.Australian Heritage CommissionSee Graeme Butler Australian Heritage Commission National Estate Register review report.NATIONAL TRUST OF AUSTRALIA (VIC)National Trust of Australia (Vic) File Number: B0120, Level LocalStatement of SignificanceBuilt in 1858 for William Mortimer by Samuel Cliff of Collingwood, the three-storey Royal Saxon Hotel is of significance as one of Melbourne's earliest surviving and continuously occupied hotels. It is one of only two 1850's hotels within central Melbourne to have survived with a relatively original exterior. Of bluestone and brick construction, this three-storey Victorian Regency style hotel building has an elegantly simple and symmetrical composition. A rare and distinctive feature is the pitched carriage lane off Elizabeth Street over which the first and second floors of the hotel have been constructed.Classified: 05/06/1968, Upgraded: 12/12/19??. Revised 03/08/1998.LEWIS, M- AUSTRALIAN ARCHITECTURE INDEXTenders required, painting and paperhanging, Royal Saxon Hotel, Elizabeth St.Argus 25.6.1879, p 3H. Shalless.Tenders required for additions and alterations to the Royal Saxon Hotel, Elizabeth Street, north.Argus 13.12.1879, p 10W. WOLFAcceptance of tender - alterations and additions to Royal Saxon Hotel, Elizabeth StreetAustralasian Builder and Contractor's News 25.5.1889 p 502.NEWSPAPERS (TROVE)`The Argus':10 May 1850Councillor Smith then moved that Mr. William Mortimer, being the Lessee of the Melbourne Cattle Market for the year which will end on the 30lh day of April, 1851, be appointed Inspector of the said Market, with full power to collect and receive all Tolls and Dues accruing within the same, and to discharge the several duties appertaining to such Office, ….Monday 5 August 1850: 2SUPREME COURT.CIVIL SITTINGS.Court proceedings- William Mortimer was in tho occupation of the Angel Inn at the time of John Mills' decease, and gave it up shortly after that person's death..'.5 May 1858: 6`CITY OP MELBOURNE ADJOURNED ANNUAL LICENSING SESSION….William Mortimer applied for a licence for the Royal Saxon Hotel, Elizabeth-street- a fine but unfinished house. Postponed for seven days. '.Wednesday 22 December 1858Licence transferred from Mortimer to Thomas Purnell (Mortimer dies Dec 1858 see `The Argus': Tuesday 11 June 1861).Wednesday 16 March 1859:4Tale of burglary attempt in upper level bedroom of licensee Mr RW KitchenSaturday 7 April 1860: tale of horse theft from outside of hotel.Thursday 23 August 1860: A general meeting of the Victorian United Carriers' Society was held last night, at the Royal Saxon Hotel, Elizabeth-street. The rules drawn up for the conduct of the society were adopted, and a committee, secretary, and treasurer wore elected. Some discussion took place on the subject of Sunday travelling, which there is a disposition on the part of the society to discontinue as soon as practicable.Thursday 31 October 1861 and Friday 1 November 1861 -MCC Bourke Ward electors addressed there. `Mr. Kennedy addressed a meeting of the electors of Bourke Ward last evening, at the Royal Saxon Hotel, chair being taken by Mr. Sidenhaur. After stating his …, a vote of confidence was unanimously carried.'.Thursday 23 January 1862An inquest was held on the body of a suicide by Dr. Glendinning, on Monday morning, at the Royal Saxon Hotel,.Wednesday 27 November 1867 (Prince Regent visit)`THE ILLUMINATIONS IN THE CITY AND SUBURBS…Royal Saxon Hotel-Transparency, 23ft. by 9ft., painted by Hickford and Hughes, representing the Prince in naval uniform, surrounded by guns, anchors, &c. ; a view in the distance of the Galatea lying in the bay. To the left, Britannia with the national emblems ; to the right, Neptune in his triumphal car, drawn by sea-horses, and surrounded by dolphins.'18 Jan 1870THE CABMEN AND THEIR GRIEVANCES.A meeting of cab proprietors was held yesterday afternoon in the Western Market, for the purpose of discussing the present system of licensing cabs, and other matters affecting the interests of proprietors. There were between 30 and 40 cabmen present…meeting was held in the evening in the Royal Saxon Hotel, Elizabeth-street. Mr H. J. Wheeler took the chair, and there were about 100 persons present..Tuesday 23 August 1870An adjourned special meeting of master blacksmiths, wheelwrights, and coachbuilders, was held at the Royal Saxon Hotel last night. Mr. Mair occupied the chair. The chairman reported that since the last meeting the committee appointed had held two meetings, and had drawn up a code of laws for the association, which it was proposed to form. The proposed laws were then read by the secretary, and with a few alterations of a minor character, adopted..30 Sep 1873PROPOSED NEW VEGETABLE MARKET.A Well attended meeting was held at the Royal Saxon Hotel, Elizabeth street north, last evening, for the purpose of considering the desirability of having a wholesale vegetable market established on a piece of land situate between the Old Cemetery and Victoria street, and also on the site of the Meat Market..'.13 March 1874GRAND UNITED ORDER OFODDFELLOWS.The third biennial meeting of the Grand United Order of Oddfellows was commenced on Tuesday at the Royal Saxon Hotel, Elizabeth Street The grand master presided and there were representatives of lodges present …'.DIRECTORIES OF VICTORIA, MELBOURNE-SANDS AND KENNY, SANDS & MCDOUGALL1904 443-445 Royal Saxon hotel—Ryan, Patrick1893 443 Royal Saxon hotel-Ryan, Patrick1880 283 Royal Saxon hotel, McAuley, Charles(285 McDowall, Mrs Ann, restaurant; German , J. L, brass founder285 Hazelton and Co, importers of ironmongery andgeneral hardware 287 Buckham, John, tent and)1870 283 Peter Pitches
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| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 103227 1 | 1 JPEG : 812 KB ; A4 | Single Item (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |