28 June 2024

Garton’s Hotel (later Her Majesty’s), east side of Swanston just south of Bourke, designed by Peter Conlon, was built in 1866, with a grand array of columns and pedimented windows over three floors. It was actually to the right of the shop pair in the photo but exactly matched it – or rather they were built later to match the hotel, rather oddly the left bay first, by 1890, and the right one maybe 10 years later. Why they matched is anyone’s guess, but nice to have a design from 1866 still with us. There’s a nice complementary shop pair to the left too, built by 1890. They’ve all seen better days ! But properly protected as part of the Hoddle Grid Review in 2023. Info and old photos c1900, 1890, and 1985 via Heritage Enthusiasts Facebook page.

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