Prince Consort Hotel | |
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Prince Consort Hotel facade, 2012
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Location | 230 Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
Coordinates | 27°27′27″S 153°02′00″E / 27.4575°S 153.0332°ECoordinates: 27°27′27″S 153°02′00″E / 27.4575°S 153.0332°E |
Design period | 1870s - 1890s (late 19th century) |
Built | 1887 - 1888 (with extensions in 1932) |
Built for | John Daniel Heal |
Architect | Richard Gailey |
Official name: Prince Consort Hotel | |
Type | state heritage (built) |
Designated | 21 October 1992 |
Reference no. | 600212 |
Significant period | 1887-c. 1942 (fabric) 1888-ongoing (historical- use as Hotel) |
Significant components | air raid shelter, shop/s, cellar |
Prince Consort Hotel is a heritage-listed hotel at 230 Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Richard Gailey and built from 1887 to 1888 with later extensions. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992. In 2014, it is trading as the Elephant Hotel.
The present Prince Consort Hotel, a three-storeyed masonry building, was erected in 1887-88 for Brisbane publican John Daniel Heal.
It was the second Prince Consort Hotel to occupy the site. The first was built c.1863 and leased by Heal. In 1879 Heal purchased the hotel and by 1887 he had acquired several adjoining subdivisions as well. The old building was demolished and its larger replacement took twelve months to build.
The new Prince Consort Hotel was designed by architect Richard Gailey, who called tenders in mid-1887.
It was erected by contractor William Ferguson at a cost of £9,400, and was completed in August 1888. Ferguson died before the hotel was finished, but the contract was completed by his executors.
Its construction in the 1880s reflected the general building boom in Queensland which accompanied a period of unprecedented economic growth. During the second half of the 1880s, Valley residents witnessed the construction of four large hotels all designed by architect Richard Gailey. The Wickham Hotel (1885), the Empire Hotel (1887), the Jubilee Hotel (1887) and the Prince Consort contained extensive accommodation and were located on prominent sites. Gailey also designed the Regatta Hotel at Toowong in 1886.
When completed, the new Prince Consort boasted one of the largest bars in Brisbane, three parlours, a large dining room, billiard room, kitchen, cellar, six bathrooms and twenty-eight bedrooms. Four large shops were also built on the ground floor.
Running the whole length of the first floor facade was a reception area, known as the Club Room, divided by a folding partition into two rooms. It was a regular meeting venue for local Valley groups such as lodges.