Royal Mail Hotel

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

The former Royal Mail Hotel on the south east corner of Yarra Street and Corio Street, Geelong was erected in 1851 for Martin Treacy, Geelong publican and entrepreneur. The first licensee upon opening in December, 1851, was Joseph Lewis, closely followed by WJ Holding.

The architect for the original three-storey building, of regularly forestated and restrained transitional Regency style, is not known. The building was reduced in height and remodeled following a catastrophic fire in January 1900. Although the premises have historical associations with several Geelong publicans, and is representative of early building traditions, there are finer examples of hotel buildings in Geelong of the same goldrush era.

This building is of insufficient importance to warrant listing on the Geelong Regional Commission Register.

City of Geelong Rate Books, Bellarine Ward first entry

1852-53 Joseph Lewis, Royal Mail Hotel, 18 Rooms and 4 stall stable. AAV 600.

1853-54 WJ Holding, Royal Mail Hotel, brick 3 storeys, bar, pantry, two lots of rooms, upstairs, five weatherboard rooms.

For detailed account, see Historic Buildings Council File 83/3918, includes rate book extracts and history.

1 February, 1851 - tender notice M Treacy

17 December 1851 - advertisement for newly erected Royal Mail Hotel, Joseph Lewis, proprietor.

16 August, 1859 - Royal Mail Hotel - For Sale Notice, includes description.

15 January, 1900, 'Fire at Royal Mail Hotel', description of destruction of two upper floors and rear buildings.

Geelong Commercial Directory and Alamnac - Geelong 1854 - Advertisment for Messrs Holding & Co, Royal Mail Hotel.

For history of occupancy, see also;

National Trust of Australia (Victoria) File No F/N 4629 includes Data Form - National Trust declined to classify building in 1983.

Geelong History Records Centre photographs of 3 storey premises c1865.

RW Brownhill - History of Geelong and Corio bay, Wilke and Co, Melbourne, 1955. p.371, 378, 390, 455, 628, for references to Royal Mail Hotel and to Martin Treacy.

Group

Commercial

Category

Hotel