One of Williamstown’s most colourful and majestic buildings is on the market in what has been described as “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity“.
The Old Royal Hotel, originally built in 1852 and replaced by a newer building in 1893, is being sold by an expressions of interest campaign.
Selling agent, Jellis Craig director Campbell Ward, said it was a rare opportunity to acquire the historic seafront property.
“One of Williamstown’s most iconic buildings, awaits a transformation,“ he said.
“The bulk of the interest is from local buyers wanting to convert the property into a family home.“
Lantern Ghost Tours founder Jacqueline Travaglia said the hotel was named after the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Alfred Ernest Albert, who once visited on a grand tour.
“It was built as superior accommodation for captains and governors,“ Ms Travaglia said.
“Over the years, it fell into disrepute and was known for illegal gambling.
“The pub was also home to a female publican Hannah, who enjoyed a drink so much that her husband would lock her in an upstairs room to sober up.
“That didn’t stop Hannah. She would tie bedsheets together, pop a bucket with a few coins on the end and lower it out of the window.
“She’d beg passers-by to buy rum from her own pub, put it in the bucket and she’d hoist it back up.”
The advertisement states the hotel has “towering ceilings and hydronic heating throughout 20 spacious rooms, five workable kitchens and six bathrooms“.
The rear garden on about 973 square metres, with a second frontage to Aitken Street, could also be used for multi-townhouse development.
Expressions of interest close 6pm on November 12, unless sold prior.
