Williamstown residents are rallying in a last-ditch attempt to save a historic hotel from a developer’s wrecking ball.
Evolve Development plans to demolish the Oriental Hotel (circa 1854) to build a six-storey, 83-dwelling apartment block as part of its much bigger development plans over several blocks of Williamstown.
The dilapidated hotel is Williamstown’s second-oldest building and possibly the state’s first three-storey brick hotel.
Heritage Victoria (HV) has recommended the building not be included on the state heritage register, with the Heritage Council (HC) to have the final say. Submissions to the HC close on April 21.
Save Williamstown (SW) is holding a public rally at the hotel on April 13. SW spokesman Godfrey Moase (pictured) said he believed Evolve could afford to restore the building and the cost of restoration should not be a factor in the HC’s decision.
“I think there’s a very significant public policy issue there for all of Victoria if people [building owners] can just get away with that [not maintaining a historic building].”
Evolve managing director Ashley Williams partly blamed the state of the hotel on the long battle with the council.
“The Oriental hotel building has been exhibiting significant decay and structural deformation for more than 20 years.
“The uncertainty, delay and costs of a near 10-year planning process have only added to the pre-existing issues.”
