Back to search results » Back to search page »

DOUTTA GALLA HOTEL

Other Name

Racecourse Road Hotel

Location

337 Racecourse Road, KENSINGTON VIC 3031 - Property No 185648

Level

Included in Heritage Overlay

[1/3]
337 Racecourse Road.JPG
[2/3]
Flemington & Kensington
[3/3]
Flemington & Kensington

Statement of Significance

What is significant?
The Doutta Galla Hotel, constructed in 1889, at 337 Racecourse Road, Kensington is significant. It is a stuccoed three level Renaissance revival hotel which is remarkably intact. Designed in a conservative manner, the facade is divided by Corinthian, Ionic and Tuscan pilasters into asymmetrical bays over which entablatures are raised above the parapet balustrading. Two of these bays highlight entrances at ground level but another unexpectedly comes to ground over twin, arched openings. Over-generous architraves, at these entrances, disrupt the line of the string mould and collide with the sill of the second level windows. Bracketted arched pediments have been allotted to the second level windows whilst cemented foliation survives at the top level.

How is it significant?
The Doutta Galla Hotel is of local historic, architectural and aesthetic significance to the City of Moonee Valley.

Why is it significant?
Historically and socially, it is associated with an imoprtant phase in the development of the Racecourse Road commercial centre during the late nineteenth century and demonstrates the importance of hotels to community life. (Criteria A & G)

Architecturally and aesthetically, it is significant as a surprisingly externally original hotel which is competently if not skilfully designed in a conservative revival mode and retains much of its cement ornamentation also prominent and a major part of a commercial streetscape. (Criteria D &E)

Group