| Also known as | 579 Spencer known as Short’s Hotel in 1872. | Source: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article197444688 |
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| Previous Address | Now includes 573 & 575 Spencer after consolidation | |
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Timelapse Building Images
When the hotel was originally built, it was known as the Recreation Hotel.
2015
Known as Moomba Hotel
Land Details
1. Alignment details with Hawke and Spencer Streets.
2. 1895 MMBW map
3. Compiled Crown Record Plan
4. First crown land purchaser Mr. A. E. Short, lot 10 section 56.
Building Details
Original floor plan, hand drawn diagram
PROV
Subsequent Building Alterations
1920 Alterations
Public Records Office of Victoria, 1924 building plans
1924 Alterations
Public Records Office of Victoria, Building applications number 6508, 10/7/1924
Public Records Office of Victoria, 1924 building plans
Public Records Office of Victoria, 1924 building plans
Public Records Office of Victoria, 1924 building plans
Spencer St elevation
Public Records Office of Victoria, 1924 building plans
Public Records Office of Victoria, 1924 building plans
Hawke Street elevation
Public Records Office of Victoria, 1924 building plans
Public Records Office of Victoria, 1924 building plans
Public Records Office of Victoria, 1924 building plans
Public Records Office of Victoria, 1924 building plans
Public Records Office of Victoria, 1924 building plans
Architectural Features
No Entries Found
Heritage Significance and Listings
| Heritage Listings and Explanatory Notes |
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Owners
| From | To | Owner | More Info | Data Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1896 | Recreation Hotel was owned by Mr. Timmin | North Melbourne Courier and West Melbourne Advertiser 24/4/1896 | ||
| 1924 | Mr John Hooper of Abbotsford Street North Melbourne | Public Records Office of Victoria, Building applications number 6508, 10/7/1924 |
Residents
| From | To | Resident | More Info | Data Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| to date | Private (573-579) | Hatcher Index | ||
| 1960 | 1974 | Moomba Hotel | Sands & McDougall directory, transcribed by Stephen Hatcher 2024 | |
| 1955 | Recreation Hotel, Storer, A. G. (575-577) | Sands & McDougall directory, transcribed by Stephen Hatcher 2024 | ||
| 1950 | Recreation Hotel, Cawthray, Mrs C. M and Cawthray, Claude R. | Sands & McDougall directory, transcribed by Stephen Hatcher 2024 | ||
| 1944/5 | Recreation Hotel, Barnard, Francis J. | Sands & McDougall directory, transcribed by Stephen Hatcher 2024 | ||
| 1940 | Recreation Hotel, Aarons, Charles | Sands & McDougall directory, transcribed by Stephen Hatcher 2024 | ||
| 1935 | Recreation Hotel, Mooney, M. E. | Sands & McDougall directory, transcribed by Stephen Hatcher 2025 | ||
| 1930 | Recreation Hotel, Monaghan, M. | Sands & McDougall directory, transcribed by Stephen Hatcher 2025 | ||
| 1925 | Recreation Hotel, Smithwick, T. W. (575-577) | Sands & McDougall directory, transcribed by Stephen Hatcher 2025 | ||
| 1895 | 1920 | McBean, Annear H. F. tobacconist & hairdresser (shop 575) | Sands & McDougall directory, transcribed by Stephen Hatcher 2025 | |
| 1890 | Wertheimer, M. & Co greengrocers (shop 575) | Sands & McDougall directory, transcribed by Stephen Hatcher 2025 | ||
| 1889 | Wills, Francis (house 575) | Sands & McDougall directory, transcribed by Stephen Hatcher 2025 |
Social History
Previously known as the Moomba Hotel
2018 known as McMahons Hotel
1872 known as Shorts Hotel
The age
From the amazing memory of Leslie Baden Woodland, at the age of 82 in 1982 wrote.
“The old Recreation Hotel or Hoopers in my day was next door to Hugie MacBean’s the Hair dresser”
Jenny Cook
1896
1896
In 1896 West Melbourne Harmony and Social Club met on a regular basis at the Recreation Hotel.
1906
North Melbourne Courier and West Melbourne Advertiser 25/5/1906
1908
North Melbourne Courier and West Melbourne Advertiser 14/8/1908
In 1924 it was known as the Recreation Hotel and owned by Mr. John Hooper of Abbotsford Street North Melbourne. At that time application was made to make alterations to the hotel. The Architects were Sydney Smith Ogg & Serpell of 349 Collins Street Melbourne.
PROV
Cow in Hotel Bar
Commotion prevailed in the bar of the Recreation Hotel, at the corner of Hawke and Spencer streets, West Melbourne, yesterday afternoon when a cow broke away from a herd of cattle and entered the hotel. When the cow, after having pushed open with its horns a swing door, ran into the bar, men scattered in all directions. Calmly surveying the excited patrons, the cow walked up to the bar and knocked over two glasses of beer. For several minutes the animal successfully resisted attempts to eject it. Eventually a drover, cracking his whip, drove the car into the street
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11021004
Context and Streetscape
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North and West Melbourne Heritage Precinct and the HO3 (North & West Melbourne Precinct) This property resides within the municipality of the City of Melbourne. We respectfully acknowledge it is on the traditional land of the Kulin Nation. source: https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/history-city-of-melbourne.pdf historical map source: https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/search-discover/explore-collections-format/maps/maps-melbourne-city-suburbs |
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The controls listed below affect this property: |
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Other Information
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