“Crown Hotel?” The name itself whispers tales of a bygone era. The Crown Hotel stands as a proud reminder of Sydney’s architectural heritage. It is located at 160-162 Elizabeth Street.
Let’s step back to the late 19th century. The earliest record of a Crown Hotel on this very site appears in the Sands Directory in 1882. A Mrs Sarah Walsh is listed as the licensee. In 1883, John Bell took over. Charles Hones followed in 1888.
The current building wasn’t always here. It is said to have been built as a guesthouse around 1909. It gained its license soon after. In 1910, the Municipal Council of Sydney acquired the land. John Rundle leased the hotel in 1921.
Tooth and Co purchased the Crown Hotel from the council in 1936. The company then leased it to various individuals. John Edward Hennessy held the license from 1937 to 1954. Louis John Liddle followed from 1954 to 1958. Paul John Berry took over from 1957 to 1960. Ronald Moroni Samuel’s tenure began in 1960.
The Crown Hotel is a three-story rendered brick building. It showcases the Federation Anglo Dutch style. The building sits on a prominent corner site at Elizabeth and Goulburn Streets. Rendered detailing and Dutch gables define its character. Ceramic wall tiling adorns the area below the awning.
Many original features remain intact. You can still see the original doors and windows. A large satellite dish now sits on the roof. A steel frame structure is visible from the street. A brick laundry and store occupy much of the roof space. The remaining area serves as an outdoor deck.
Inside, the original layout remains on the upper floors. The public bar retains early striped ceramic wall tiling on most walls. The bar counter and fittings date back to the early 1930s. They may be in their original position. Original joinery is present throughout the interior. The saloon bar features timber paneling over the original tiling.
The Crown Hotel holds significant architectural value. It stands as a fine example of the style used in Australian corner hotels. It continues the legacy of an earlier hotel with the same name. The Crown Hotel contributes strongly to the area’s character. It also shares an aesthetic relationship with the Victorian buildings on Goulburn Street.
It is one of only three hotels in the city built in this style. The others are the Forbes Hotel and the Chamberlain Hotel. The Crown Hotel played a crucial role in the social fabric of the area. It provided recreation and affordable accommodation near Central Station. This reflected the social character of the early 20th century.
The Crown Hotel earned a place on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. Today, the City Crown Motel offers modern comforts. These include air conditioning and internet access.
Remember the Crown Hotel. It is more than just a building. It is a living testament to Sydney’s rich history.