Architecture
Royal George Hotel is located at 34 George Street (previously was no. 78) on Duke street, is a two-storey, Federation Free Classical style brick and limestone corner Hotel building. The cupola is a rare example still in its original form. The basement levels are a rare - coach house and workshop areas are incorporated with cellar facilities underneath the hotel building.
History
1903 TENDERS are invited until Monday, the 19th January, 1903, at 4 p.m., for building the Royal George Hotel, at Plympton, Fremantle. Plans, specifications, and conditions of contract may be seen at my office. E. MAUERMANN, F.R.S.A., Architect and Civil Engineer. Murray's Chambers, Barrack-street, Perth; Cliff Chambers, Fremantle. (reference)
The architect was E. Mauermann, 1903, Architect and Civil Engineer of 8 Cliff St, Fremantle Original drawings of the cupola/ tower show his stamp (see image)
The Royal George Hotel was built in 1903 by builder J. Vetter at a cost of £5,200 for Daniel Mulcahy, who had purchased the hotel from John Maher. Some issues were experienced with the architect (E Manerman sic) but in June 1904 the provisional certificate for the hotel had been granted, the survey of the property made and plans executed. (reference) For a full description of the Royal George Hotel when it was first built please read this wonderful article in: (reference)
‘‘Bonafide travellers’’ a liquor licensing law which only allowed travellers to drink on Sundays affected many hotels including the Royal George:
1919 Sunday Trading—William Minett, licensee of the Royal George Hotel, was charged with having served non bonafide travellers during prohibited hours on Sunday, March 30. See: (reference)
1940 Drinking after hours- Gerald Garrett Prenderville, licensee of the Royal George Hotel, East Fremantle, was fined in the Fremantle Police Court yesterday with having kept his licensed premises open for the sale of liquor after 9 p.m. on November 30. Prenderville pleaded guilty to this and another charge of failing to keep a register of lodgers. For the latter offence he was cautioned and ordered to pay 3/ costs. See: (reference)
1946 Licensee Frederick Robert Mann, of the Royal George Hotel, East Fremantle, was fined in Fremantle Police Court today on charges involving Sunday trading. See: (reference)
1954 The engagement is announced of Mary, only daughter of Mrs. R. Paino and the late Mr. A. Paino, of 10 Fortescue-street, East Fremantle, to Leone (Royal George Hotel, East Fremantle), youngest son of Mrs. F. Alessandro and the late Mr. G. Alessandro, of Italy. (reference)
The hotel was de-liscenced in 1979 and used as a school for 5 years.
In 1983, Main Roads WA wanted to demolish the building as part of the Stirling Highway construction. The building was saved by ratepayers and the East Fremantle Council. The Council spent millions on restoring the building 1986/87.
The Royal George Arts Centre was open in 1987. In 1989 the Royal George won a Heritage award. The property was added to the Municipal Resgistry in 1997 and Register of Heriotage Places in 1998.
The George St Gallery ran for many years c. 1995- 2006
In 2004, Labor politician Alannah MacTiernan gave it to the National Trust WA, on terms never made public.
However these were that the land be zoned ‘community’ and use of the property be restricted to ‘community, recreational, civic and ancilary commercial; activity’ (letter from Alanah Mc Tiernan, then Minister of Planning and Infrastructure, to the National Trust, 3 Feb 2004)
Currently a controversial development project is in play and the empty building has been vandalised and boarded up.
RESIDENTS
Lot 303 Title vol 2106 Folio 366
1903/4 John Maher
1903 - 1910: Royal Hotel (owner Mulcahy, T.), Liscensee Joseph Tippett
1911 - 1912: Royal Hotel (Stack, Thomas)
1913 - 1919: Royal George Hotel (Cooper, Alexander C.)
1920 - 1921: Royal George Hotel (Minett, William)
1922 - 1936: Royal George Hotel (Mitchell, D. C.)
1936 - 1940: Royal George Hotel (Bursey, B. M.)
1940 - 1947: Royal George Hotel (Prendiville, G. G.)
1949: Royal George Hotel (Daly, Victor B.)
1983-2004: East Fremantle Council
1990s Known as the Royal George Arts and Community Centre and leased as an art gallery (George St Gallery) and studios, with glass blower studio below.
4/22005: National Trust WA
Courtesy of the Town of East Fremantle Heritage Trail, Artist: Miles Noel
“Built in 1885, a two-storey Federation Free Classical style corner hotel building with the cupola being a rare example still in its original form.”
