Post Office Arcade (former Post Office Hotel), 88 Main Street, STAWELL

This property has been reviewed as part of the Stawell Main Street Precinct in 2024, and its heritage category is now Contributory.

The property is Contributory to the precinct.

Text from the 2004 heritage study: 

The Post Office Arcade building at the corner of Wimmera and Main Streets, Stawell, makes a significant contribution to the architectural and visual amenity of the predominantly 19th and early 20th century commercial streetscape. Originally built with a wooden facade in 1875 for W.C. Richards, the building was altered in 1878-79 to a brick design by George Inskip, architect. In 1977, extensive alterations were carried out converting the building into the present arcade and shops, and it appears to be in good-fair condition when viewed from the street.

The Post Office Arcade building is architecturally significant at a LOCAL level. Although extensively altered, it still demonstrates original or early design qualities of a Victorian style. These qualities include the rectangular form with a chamfered corner, projecting dentillated stringcourse and low parapet that terminates into the balustraded parapet with flanking scrollwork at the corner. Other intact or appropriate qualities include the brick wall construction, single storey height (at the front), asymmetrical composition, window openings on the Wimmera Street facade. The rear two storey wing also contributes to the significance of the place with its hipped roof form clad in galvanised corrugated iron, brick wall construction, and regular bays of single window openings.

The Post Office Arcade building is historically significant at a LOCAL level. It is associated with the development of hotels in Stawell in the 1870s. In particular, this building has associations with W.H. Richards, original owner who instigated construction in 1875. The building has associations with many hotel keepers and publicans in the 19th and early 20th century, including Harry Kuhl between 1946 and 1967, former Victorian Football League footballer. The building also has associations with George Inskip, architect, who designed the brick alterations in 1878, and with Diment and Bond, Renovators, Neville Carkeek and Bill Garlick who were responsible for the major alterations in 1971. 

Overall, the Post Office Arcade at the corner of Wimmera and Main Streets is of LOCAL significance.