About the Project

On 13 June 2012, the Council conditionally approved a Development Application (DA-485/2011) for the ‘Proposed Restoration and Redevelopment of the Guildford Hotel.’ Specifically, the application was for the restoration and continued use of the Guildford Hotel as a boutique hotel with the inclusion of conference facilities and accommodation rooms upstairs. In addition it involved the construction of a new 1300m² single storey commercial building to the rear of the site with the provision of 42 parking bays through the middle of the lot. In 2014, a lease agreement was signed with the Publican Group for the use and operation of the Guildford Hotel. Considerable work is required to ensure the Hotel building is ready for the new tenant. Accordingly, the current owner is committed to re-roofing the Hotel, the reconstruction of the belvedere, with interior restoration limited to the necessary structural works and services provisions. The internal fit-out will be undertaken by the Publican Group in due course. A target timeframe to restore and occupy the Hotel building is October 2015. In June 2014, a request was made to the City seeking an extension to the term of the above Development Approval for a 12 month period. The request was made to facilitate the realisation of the above lease agreement. An application seeking a 6 month extension to this approval was approved by Council on the 30 July 2014.

• The first floor of the Guildford Hotel was substantially destroyed by the fire. Whilst the original Development Application intended to reinstate the first floor with conference facilities and accommodation rooms upstairs an alternative approach is now proposed. The approach now seeks to retain evidence of the fire and leave areas of missing floor (at the first floor level) open creating double height void spaces, which will generate an intriguing and thought-provoking internal environment. Notwithstanding the above, a portion (190m²) of the first floor will be reactivated and used as office and storage space for the future tenant. It is noted that the balance of the first floor could be reinstated in the future depending on the needs of the tenant.
• Alterations have been made to the ground floor layout of the Guildford Hotel to suit the operational requirements of the tenant.
• The proposed roof form now incorporates an operable roof over the front section of the Hotel, which largely aligns with the 1914/15 Hotel additions and runs parallel to James Street. As noted later in this letter, the balance of the roof form is proposed to be undertaken as pre-enabling works, which has now been confirmed by The City of Swan do not require planning approval.
• Alterations to the western elevation to facilitate increased access to and integration with the outdoor beer garden.
• A new concept has been prepared for the outdoor beer garden, which no longer features a prominent gazebo structure.
• Alterations to the external appearance of the Hotel to enhance the landmark values and to architectural character of the building. As previously proposed the belvedere will be reconstructed, however additional works include the removal of paint to reveal selected areas of brickwork and the reinstatement of decorative detail to the Johnson Street verandah