HOTEL VICTORIA

The Victoria hotel was built in 1888 for owner and licensee Mary McGregor to the design of architect Richard Speight.

It is sited on the corner of Kerford Road and Beaconsfield Parade and is the most prominent nineteenth century structure along the entire length of the parade. This prominence is emphasised by the corner tower, double storey colonnade and elaborate three storey facade. The width of Kerford Road enhances the visibility of the building.

The tower is angled on the corner and is crowned by an octagonal, column supported belvedere with pointed roof above. This roof was installed in the 1970s to the design of a firm of Melbourne architects. As built, the Victoria had a similar pointed roof though more elaborately detailed. The original roof was removed earlier this century. The remainder of the exterior is substantially intact.

Internally the building retains a number of intact spaces including the spacious entry foyer, graceful staircase and first floor lobby.

Internally the building retains a number of intact spaces including the spacious entry foyer, graceful staircase and first floor lobby.

The Victoria Hotel is of architectural and historic significance as:

a prominent and substantial reminder of the recreational activities along Beaconsfield Parade in the 1880s;

a substantial hotel which is an outstanding example of 1880s hotel architecture;

an important illustration of the prominence of hotels in a late nineteenth century community;

a rare example of an octagonal open tower;

an important surviving work of architect Richard Speight.

Group

Recreation and Entertainment

Category

Hotel