Hotel Cottesloe

1937, Hobbes, Forbes and partners

James:
Part of the scene since the earliest days of the beach’s development, the Hotel Cottesloe, situated on the corner of Swanbourne Terrace and John Street was [originally] built in 1905 by contractor J. Crothers for Mr McPhee, an investor and future Lord Mayor of Perth, Thomas George Anstruther Molloy purchased the hotel shortly after its completion, later disposing of it in 1937 to Mr Reynolds.
Until the mid 1930s the building had a distinctive colonial appearance, with the wide wooden lower and upper verandahs providing protection from the setting western sun.
In 1907 it was suggested that the licensee provide hitching posts outside his premises, as many of the hotel’s visitors were using the council tree guards to tie up their horses. During the initial stages of the jetty’s popularity, only two buildings of any importance lined Swanbourne Terrace: the Hotel Cottesloe and the Manly Hostel, both of which exhibited magnificent ocean views and catered for the needs of residents and those lucky enough to be on vacation. James: 91.

Heritage Council page.

Statement of Significance
Historic and architectural significance. "Moderne" facade epitomized the latest trends when Cottesloe was in its second hey day as a sea side resort.The hotel has associations with prominent Western Australian Tom Molloy who owned it from 1913 and undertook the 1936 refurbishment. It is a prominent landmark and almost all that remains of the pre war foreshore architecture along the entire coast.

Physical Description
1995 Comment: 'Moderne' façade for TG Molloy by CLE Harrison. Historic and architectural significance. Cottesloe Beach Hotel - Hotel Cottesloe façade. Two-storey hotel with a "Moderne" façade - rendered surface enlivened with decorative detail. The emphasis is on horizontal lines with some counterbalancing vertical elements, such as supporting pillars, while stylized fluted cartouches with classical overtones are incorporated in the design and decorate the 14 vertical pillars. The roof is tiled. Glazing has been modified with glass blocks inserted in some sections. 2002 Reassessment: The Hotel Cottesloe, originally known as Cottesloe Beach Hotel, is a significant landmark in Cottesloe, particularly due to its strong 1930s architectural style. The 1930s was an important period of social activity and emergence of the seaside holiday tradition in Cottesloe. The hotel has further significance in that it is one of the last remaining 1930s structures along the foreshore. Additional Comment: On the State Heritage Register. Since the mid-2000s the rear beer garden has been redeveloped as a modern version and some conservation works to the place have been undertaken. Reason for Inclusion 1. The place is of higher-order local cultural heritage significance, being classified as Category 1 in the Town’s Municipal Inventory (MI). 2. The place is also heritage classified on the State Register of Heritage Places. 3. The place contributes to the character and amenity of the street, locality and overall district.

History
Built in 1904-5 [according to Ruth Marchant James p91 by J. Crothers for a Mr McPhee]. It has been claimed by Ray Oldham as a Charles Lancelot Oldham design and the Cottesloe rate books show that in 1905 it was owned by Mrs Alice McSwan. Mrs McSwan had mn a tearooms on her land in 1899. She owned the adjoining block behind in John Street where she lived and this could have been the site for the tearooms rather than the hotel site. The hotel keeper was Annie Grave who paid the rates. In 1908-9 James Drake was the hotel keeper and owner. Alice McSwan's weathertboard house was sold that year. She lived in 1034 Hay Street at the time but kept plenty of land in the district. She was involved in some way with Shiels dairy owning every second lot alternately with Shiels. In 1913 TGA Molloy bought the hotel from James Drake. The hotel keeper was Joseph Walsh. Thomas George Anstmther Molloy, Canadian born land speculator, purchased the interests of James Graves when he got into financial difficulties. He built , the Hotel Metropole, Theatre Royal, His Majesties Theatre and Hotel. By 1913 Molloy MLA had been 4 times Mayor of Perth. [Battye vol. 1, page 539-40]. In 1936 the Cottesloe Hotel was reconstructed by the architect C. L. E. Harrison for T. G. A. Molloy. According to Jean Lang the cost was 13,500 pounds [Lang "The Cottesloe Story" Ms] Tom Molloy was a prominent landowner, MP and acting Mayor of Pert:h in 1904. The style according to Lang was "Continental Modern" which she records relies for effect on plain surfaces with line lighting and correct colour blending of the Neon tubing concealed lighting in red, green and blue. 24 Oct 1936 West Australian refers to H. W. Ennis tender of 11,000 pounds had been accepted for extensive remodelling and large additions to the building for Molloy. The work took three months and involved refacing the the street elevation, provision of lounges and reconstruction of bars with extensions comprising 27 bedrooms a kitchen block, garages etc. Jan 14 1938, Building Construction Journal p 8-0: "Remodelled Hotel Cottesloe is Attractive WA's Loading Beach Hotel." 1937 reputedly sold to a Mr Reynolds. ["Cottesloe Beach Bugle" supplement to The Post Oct 1987. ] Facts not S verified. [The Cottesloe Society Newsletter Vol 3, no 4: 3] There have been several renovations during the 1980s and 1990s. •* The most recent being 1994. Name changes included Cottesloe Beach Hotel 1985, Cottesloe Beach Resort in 1987-8 ? returning to Cottesloe Beach Hotel in 1993. 'only the Art Deco facade, fireplaces and some original architraves remain' ^ [Carter's Antiques and Collectables Magazine cutting c 1994 p 79] S2. 1994 refurbishment for Kamak Pty Ldt - Peter Eakins, Don Hall and Bill Rigg. Architects Tsigulis & Zuvela, mural by ° Leigh Hewson-Bower, floor polished Blue Gum inset with Tuart was installed.

Integrity/Authenticity
Integrity somewhat Modifications new facade 1936/7 - renovations 1980/90 and 1994

References and Links

James, Ruth Marchant 1977, Heritage of Pines: A History of Cottesloe, Town of Cottesloe Council: 91.

Freotopia

This page incorporates material from Garry Gillard's Freotopia website, that he started in 2014 and the contents of which he donated to Wikimedia Australia in 2024. The content was originally created on 9 May, 2019 and hosted at freotopia.org/hotels/cottesloe.html (it was last updated on 25 November, 2023), and has been edited since it was imported here (see page history). The donated data is also preserved in the Internet Archive's collection.