Hotel Metropole, Sydney Explained

Hotel Metropole
Building Type:Hotel
Architectural Style:Victorian Second Empire
Address:Bent, Phillip, and Young Streets
Location Town:Sydney
Location Country:Australia
Namesake:Metropole Hotel London (Est. 1885)
Start Date:1888
Completion Date:1889
Opening:14 January 1890
Demolished Date:1970
Roof:32.91m (107.97feet)
Floor Count:6
Client:Australian Coffee Palace Company
Architecture Firm:Sheerin & Hennessy
Twentyman & Askew
Main Contractor:W. H. Jennings
Ren Architect:Henry Budden
(H. E. Budden & Mackey)
Ren Contractor:Robert Wall & Sons Ltd.
Ren Engineer:F. P. Woolacott (1935)

The Hotel Metropole was a hotel located on a block bounded by Bent, Phillip, and Young Streets in the central business district of Sydney. From its opening in January 1890, it was considered as one of Sydney's premier hotels, and catered towards rural visitors to the city. Originally designed by architects Sheerin & Hennessy and Twentyman & Askew, the hotel was remodelled and extended in 1929 by Henry Budden. With the land value outstripping the profits gained by the hotel by the late 20th century, the hotel was closed in May 1970 and demolished later the same year to make way for a modernist office development, CAGA House (later demolished in 1992 for Governor Macquarie Tower).

History

Early development and opening

In the mid-1880s, it was reported that there was a lack of high quality hotel accommodation within the city of Sydney. In an August 1886 article reporting on the development of the Federal Coffee Palace hotel in Melbourne, the Sydney Mail commented that "In the matter of hotel accommodation, Sydney compares very unfavourably with Melbourne."[1] In 1885, the Bakewell Brothers firm had purchased for £6,500 a vacant site bounded by Bent, Phillip, and Young Streets, on the former Government House estate, in the centre of Sydney for the purpose of erecting a "Palace Hotel", to fulfil this need.[2] [3]

On this announcement, the Illustrated Sydney News commented: "Visitors to Sydney from other countries have, from time to time, remarked upon the lack of really good hotel accommodation, and, indeed, have asserted that there is really no first-class establishment in the city, in the sense in which the words are accepted in Europe and America. Whatever truth there maybe in the statement, it is not likely that it will remain as a reproach to the enterprise of the city for any length of time. The first steps towards the establishment of a large hotel of the first-class, and on a scale of great magnificence, have already been taken and, in all probability, the efforts of the promoters will, ere long, bear good fruit."[4] However, although a public design competition was held in November 1885 and the designs by Moorhouse & Loweish and John Kirkpatrick receiving first and second prizes, respectively, no further action was taken on this development.[5]

By December 1887, the Melbourne-based Coffee Taverns Company Limited (renamed the "Australian Coffee Palace Company Limited" in August 1888[6]), the operators since 1881 of the Melbourne Coffee Palace on Bourke Street, responded to interest in opening of a branch of their temperance-based Coffee palace in Sydney, and purchased the freehold title of the site for developing a "Coffee Palace Hotel".[7] By mid-1888, designs by the Sydney-based architectural firm of Sheerin & Hennessy and the Melbourne-based Twentyman & Askew were accepted by the company for a 300-room hotel.[8] [9] At the February 1889 meeting of the company it was reported that the land purchase had cost £10,000, and the hotel construction was contracted for £75,000.[10]

By August 1889, the company had decided to rename the under-construction hotel the "Hotel Metropole" because "visitors arriving in the colonies by the mail boats were prejudiced by the name of 'Coffee Palace.[11] When an objection was raised that the name change implied that "it would give a stranger the idea that intoxicating liquors were sold within it", the board chairman, William McLean, responded: "for many years temperance hotels had a very bad name, and for anyone to say he was going into a temperance hotel was about equal to saying he was going into a third class boarding house. The desire of the directors was to let the public know that that state of things did not now exist, and that they could now get proper accommodation in such institutions. They considered that as the Hotel Metropole was the best hotel in London, they could not do better than copy the name for their Sydney establishment. There was nothing in the name of a hotel to indicate that intoxicating drink was sold in it, and an example of this could be seen in the case of the Grand Hotel."[11]

With the construction completed by Sydney builder W. H. Jennings in late 1889, the Hotel Metropole was officially opened on 14 January 1890 by the Mayor of Sydney, Sydney Burdekin, featuring full electric lighting installed by Drake & Gorham of London.[12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] On its opening, The Sydney Morning Herald proclaimed: "No more magnificent structure in design and appointment of its type can be found in the colonies, and certainly not in Sydney, than the Hotel Metropole."[18] Leon Erckmann, of the Grand Hotel in Melbourne, was appointed as the first hotel manager.[19]

Development and growth

A year later in January 1891, the Australian Coffee Palace Company established the "Hotel Metropole Company Limited", as an independent company to own and manage the hotel, with William Paul Small serving as the first managing director until his retirement in 1925.[20] [21] [22] From its opening in 1891 until 1912, the Hotel Metropole company owned a substantial portion of the shares of The Australia Hotel on Castlereagh Street, with W. P. Small also serving as managing director of The Australia Hotel.[20] [23] [24] Following the transfer of ownership into an independent company, in June 1891 the hotel was granted a liquor license under the Licensing Act, 1882, ending its status as a 'dry hotel'.[25] [26] A billiards license under the Billiard and Bagatelle Licensing Act, 1882 was also acquired at the same time.[27]

Following its opening, the hotel became established as one of the most prominent and popular hotels in the city. The list of guests was frequently published in the press and included many notable names of the colony and abroad (For example, Bruce Smith,[28] Sir Walter Buller, and Sir Patrick Jennings[29]). Despite the challenges present by the First World War, it was reported by 1918 that the hotel remained highly profitable.[30] In 1927, the hotel was granted permission to serve liquor with meals after 6 pm.[31] By 1929, it was reported that by virtue of its size, position and good management, that it "is naturally able to win good figures in the face of almost adverse circumstances, and, throughout the years, has proved to be one of Sydney's most successful residential hotels."[32]

With capacity limits proving to be an inhibitor of future growth, the company decided to invest some of the profits into further expansion and renovation, commissioning over £155,000 worth of works to become what they called the "largest hotel in Australia".[32] [33] Having purchased the sites adjoining the hotel on Phillip Street, the scheme included a substantial extension that would involve the demolition of five four-storey Victorian terrace buildings at 49–57 Phillip Street.[34] [35] [36] In 1927, prominent Sydney architect Henry Budden and master builder Robert Wall & Sons were commissioned by the company to undertake the works, with Budden simplifying the Second Empire style of the original hotel and designing the extension in a Stripped Classical style, and increasing capacity to over 530 guests.[37] [38] [39] [40] [41] With the works completed in 1929, other improvements included private bathrooms for the majority of rooms and two new dining rooms.[42] At the same time as these works were completed, several buildings immediately to the north of the hotel at 56–58 Young Street were demolished to make way for the construction of "Bradford House" (O'Brien House from 1930), a 9-storey Georgian Revival style office building designed by Spencer & Spencer architects and built by H. W. Thompson Ltd.[43] [44] [45] [46]

Further simplification of the ornamentation on the 1890 building façade and the restoration of render was undertaken in 1934–1935 by Robert Wall & Sons under the supervision of Budden.[47] [48] In June 1935, Budden also designed the addition of an Art Deco style awning over the entrance on the corner of Bent and Young Streets.[49] Additional alterations occurred to the hotel in the post-war period, including mostly internal alterations to rooms, service areas, windows, and bathrooms. These were designed by architects Nicholas Mackey (1957; 1958), and Henderson & Sherlock (1964; 1965).[50] [51] [52] [53]

Like all hotels, the Hotel Metropole saw its fair share of deaths, which often generated a high degree of interest in the press, given its prominent clientele.[54] [55] [56] [57] [58] [59] [60] [61] [62] [63] [64] The most prominent of these being within the space of several weeks in March 1954, when three people died by falling in separate incidents, including former politician Hugh Wragge.[65] [66] [67] [68] [69] [70]

Closure and demolition

With the 1957 repeal of the 1912 Height of Buildings Act that had previously prohibited all development in Sydney above 150-feet (45m), the development potential (and consequently land values) of sites within the Sydney CBD significantly increased into the 1960s.[71] [72] In 1968–1969, the Hotel Metropole Limited company rejected several takeover offers from developers, including LJ Hooker and Lendlease, largely due to its dispersed shareholder base and a resilient business: "Despite its old-fashioned style the Metropole hasbeen able to withstand the competition from newly established hotels better than most. It has a large rural clientele."[73] [74] [75] By mid-1969, Lendlease and a consortium of Parkes Developments Pty Ltd and Stocks and Holdings Ltd both made offers and had commenced buying up company shares, with the Parkes/Stocks and Holdings offer of $8.4 million eventually being successful when Leadlease withdrew its offer in May 1969.[76] [77] [78] [79] [80] [81]

In August 1969, the City of Sydney approved a development application for the demolition of the hotel and its replacement with a $6.3 million 33-storey (115m) modernist office tower development designed by Hugo Stossel (H. Stossel & Associates).[82] [83] On 2 April 1970, it was formally announced that the hotel would close on 5 May 1970 with demolition works commencing not long after.[84] In July 1970, financial services company Commercial and General Acceptance Ltd (CAGA) announced that it would be the primary tenant of the new development, and consequently have the naming rights, with the new tower being named "CAGA Centre".[85] [86]

Metropole Tavern

Upon its closure, the hotel's liquor licence under the Liquor Act, 1912 was approved for transfer to a publican's license operating as a tavern (which had been permitted since the Liquor (Amendment) Act, 1969), in anticipation of a lower part of the new CAGA Centre development being set aside as a tavern with the name "Metropole Tavern".[87] [88] [89] [90] The Metropole Tavern opened for business on 5 December 1974, and became known as a live music venue, seeing performances from such artists as INXS, The Angels, and The Saints.[91] [92] [93] [94] [95] The Metropole Tavern closed for business in late 1980, and the liquor license was transferred to a new bar opening in the McNamara Centre in Parramatta on 14 August 1981.[96] [97]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: The Federal Coffee Palace . . New South Wales, Australia . 21 August 1886 . 22 July 2023 . 387 . National Library of Australia.
  2. News: Commercial . Evening News. New South Wales, Australia . 18 June 1885 . 22 July 2023 . 4 . National Library of Australia.
  3. News: Palace Hotel for Sydney . . New South Wales, Australia . 27 June 1885 . 22 July 2023 . 19 . National Library of Australia.
  4. News: New Palace Hotel . Illustrated Sydney News . New South Wales, Australia . 1 August 1885 . 22 July 2023 . 13 . National Library of Australia.
  5. News: Proposed Palace Hotel . Evening News . New South Wales, Australia . 4 November 1885 . 22 July 2023 . 4 . National Library of Australia.
  6. News: The Coffee Taverns Company . . Victoria, Australia . 4 August 1888 . 22 July 2023 . 7 . National Library of Australia.
  7. News: New South Wales Mems . The Albury Banner and Wodonga Express. New South Wales, Australia . 9 December 1887 . 22 July 2023 . 29 . National Library of Australia.
  8. News: Monster Coffee Palace for Sydney . . New South Wales, Australia . 23 June 1888 . 22 July 2023 . 16 . National Library of Australia.
  9. News: A New Coffee Palace . The Daily Telegraph . New South Wales, Australia . 26 January 1888 . 22 July 2023 . 6 . National Library of Australia.
  10. News: Trade and Finance . The Daily Telegraph . New South Wales, Australia . 15 February 1889 . 22 July 2023 . 7 . National Library of Australia.
  11. News: Australian Coffee Palace Company . . Victoria, Australia . 10 August 1889 . 22 July 2023 . 11 . National Library of Australia.
  12. News: The Hotel Metropole . . 660 . New South Wales, Australia . 14 January 1890 . 22 July 2023 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
  13. News: The Hotel Metropole . The Daily Telegraph . New South Wales, Australia . 14 January 1890 . 22 July 2023 . 6 . National Library of Australia.
  14. News: Opening of the Hotel Metropole . The Sydney Morning Herald . New South Wales, Australia . 15 January 1890 . 22 July 2023 . 5 . National Library of Australia.
  15. News: Opening of the Hotel Metropole . The Daily Telegraph . New South Wales, Australia . 15 January 1890 . 22 July 2023 . 5 . National Library of Australia.
  16. News: Our Illustrations . The Sydney Mail And New South Wales Advertiser . New South Wales, Australia . 18 January 1890 . 22 July 2023 . 139 . National Library of Australia.
  17. News: Hotel Metropole, Bent, Phillip, and Young Streets, Sydney . The Sydney Mail And New South Wales Advertiser . New South Wales, Australia . 24 October 1896 . 22 July 2023 . 855 . National Library of Australia.
  18. News: The Hotel Metropole . The Sydney Morning Herald . New South Wales, Australia . 14 January 1890 . 22 July 2023 . 5 . National Library of Australia.
  19. News: Opening of a Coffee Palace in Sydney . The Argus. Victoria, Australia . 15 January 1890 . 22 July 2023 . 5 . National Library of Australia.
  20. News: Obituary . The Sydney Morning Herald . New South Wales, Australia . 2 July 1929 . 23 July 2023 . 12 . National Library of Australia.
  21. Web site: Jones . Cathy . Hotel Metropole, William Small and Wakeford Rd . Strathfield Heritage . 22 July 2023.
  22. News: Hotel Metropole Sydney . The Daily Telegraph . New South Wales, Australia . 29 January 1891 . 23 July 2023 . 5 . National Library of Australia.
  23. News: Australia Hotel Company . Evening News . New South Wales, Australia . 1 February 1910 . 23 July 2023 . 5 . National Library of Australia.
  24. News: Hotel Metropole, Ltd. . The Sydney Morning Herald . New South Wales, Australia . 25 August 1911 . 23 July 2023 . 9 . National Library of Australia.
  25. News: Questions Answered . Australian Town And Country Journal . New South Wales, Australia . 15 October 1898 . 9 August 2023 . 11 . National Library of Australia.
  26. News: Water Licensing Court . Evening News . New South Wales, Australia . 17 April 1891 . 9 August 2023 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
  27. News: Water Police Licensing Bench . The Australian Star . New South Wales, Australia . 26 June 1891 . 9 August 2023 . 6 . National Library of Australia.
  28. News: Hotel Metropole . Illustrated Sydney News . New South Wales, Australia . 16 August 1890 . 23 July 2023 . 20 . National Library of Australia.
  29. News: Hotel Metropole . Illustrated Sydney News . New South Wales, Australia . 17 April 1890 . 23 July 2023 . 11 . National Library of Australia.
  30. News: Hotel Metropole, Ltd. . The Sun . New South Wales, Australia . 28 January 1918 . 23 July 2023 . 4 . National Library of Australia.
  31. Web site: Tooth & Company Limited yellow cards – Metropole Hotel card 1 side 1 . The Noel Butlin Archives Centre . Australian National University.
  32. News: The Hotel Metropole . Sunday Times . New South Wales, Australia . 27 January 1929 . 23 July 2023 . 13 . National Library of Australia.
  33. News: The Largest Hotel in Australia Hotel Metropole . Sunday Times . New South Wales, Australia . 10 February 1929 . 23 July 2023 . 6 . National Library of Australia.
  34. News: Hotel Metropole . The Daily Telegraph . New South Wales, Australia . 30 August 1926 . 23 July 2023 . 9 . National Library of Australia.
  35. Web site: Demolition Books Photograph: 49 – 57 Phillip Street (07/05/1927), [A-00037466] ]. City of Sydney Archives & History Resources . City of Sydney . 23 July 2023.
  36. Web site: Demolition Books Photograph: 49 – 57 Phillip Street (07/04/1927), [A-00037467] ]. City of Sydney Archives & History Resources . City of Sydney . 23 July 2023.
  37. News: Advertising . . New South Wales, Australia . 6 April 1927 . 23 July 2023 . 1 . National Library of Australia.
  38. News: Hotel Metropole . The Sydney Morning Herald . New South Wales, Australia . 27 April 1927 . 23 July 2023 . 9 . National Library of Australia.
  39. News: The Hotel Metropole. The Catholic Press. New South Wales, Australia . 13 September 1928 . 23 July 2023 . 79 . National Library of Australia.
  40. News: Hotel Metropole Largest & Most Modern Hotel in Australia . Sydney Mail . New South Wales, Australia . 4 December 1929 . 23 July 2023 . 29 . National Library of Australia.
  41. News: Hotel Metropole — Magnificent Additions . Sydney Mail . New South Wales, Australia . 30 January 1929 . 23 July 2023 . 21 . National Library of Australia.
  42. News: Hotel Metropole, Sydney . The Catholic Press . New South Wales, Australia . 13 September 1928 . 23 July 2023 . 63 . National Library of Australia.
  43. News: Advertising . Construction And Local Government Journal . New South Wales, Australia . 19 June 1929 . 23 July 2023 . 5 . National Library of Australia.
  44. News: Building and Construction Bradford House . The Sydney Morning Herald . New South Wales, Australia . 7 August 1929 . 23 July 2023 . 11 . National Library of Australia.
  45. News: Nine Stories – New City Building . Sunday Times. New South Wales, Australia . 11 August 1929 . 23 July 2023 . 22 . National Library of Australia.
  46. News: Obituary . Construction And Real Estate Journal . New South Wales, Australia . 31 December 1930 . 23 July 2023 . 6 . National Library of Australia.
  47. News: Hotel Metropole . The Sydney Morning Herald . New South Wales, Australia . 22 January 1935 . 23 July 2023 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
  48. Web site: Building Application (BA) Plans – Bent St (Hotel Metropole) (01/01/1934 – 31/12/1934), [A-00567542] ]. City of Sydney Archives . City of Sydney . 23 July 2023.
  49. Web site: Building Application (BA) Plans – Bent St (Hotel Metropole) (01/01/1935 – 31/12/1935), [A-00583442] ]. City of Sydney Archives . City of Sydney . 23 July 2023.
  50. Web site: Building Application (BA) Plans – Bent St (8–18) (Hotel Metropole) (01/01/1957 – 31/12/1957), [A-00562810] ]. City of Sydney Archives . City of Sydney . 23 July 2023.
  51. Web site: Building Application (BA) Plans – Bent St (Hotel Metropole) (01/01/1958 – 31/12/1958), [A-00580997] ]. City of Sydney Archives . City of Sydney . 23 July 2023.
  52. Web site: Building Application (BA) Plans – Bent St (Hotel Metropole) (01/01/1964 – 31/12/1964), [A-00548402] ]. City of Sydney Archives . City of Sydney . 23 July 2023.
  53. Web site: Building Application (BA) Plans – Bent St (Hotel Metropole) (01/01/1965 – 31/12/1965), [A-00560034] ]. City of Sydney Archives . City of Sydney . 23 July 2023.
  54. News: Strange Death . Evening News . 7419 . New South Wales, Australia . 6 March 1891 . 23 July 2023 . 5 . National Library of Australia.
  55. News: Killed at the Hotel Metropole . Evening News . New South Wales, Australia . 18 January 1892 . 23 July 2023 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
  56. News: The Accident at the Hotel Metropole . The Age . Victoria, Australia . 31 January 1898 . 23 July 2023 . 7 . National Library of Australia.
  57. News: Inquest . The Sydney Morning Herald . New South Wales, Australia . 18 February 1904 . 23 July 2023 . 8 . National Library of Australia.
  58. News: Double Domestic Tragedy in Sydney . Southern Star . Bega, New South Wales . 20 November 1907 . 23 July 2023 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
  59. News: Hotel Metropole Tragedy . Quirindi Herald And District News . New South Wales, Australia . 22 November 1907 . 23 July 2023 . 4 . National Library of Australia.
  60. News: Sudden Death . Evening News . New South Wales, Australia . 3 July 1924 . 23 July 2023 . 9 . National Library of Australia.
  61. News: Wealthy New Zealander . Daily Examiner . New South Wales, Australia . 5 September 1929 . 23 July 2023 . 5 . National Library of Australia.
  62. News: Death by Poison in Hotel . The Sun . New South Wales, Australia . 6 December 1938 . 23 July 2023 . 1 . National Library of Australia.
  63. News: Fell Down Stairs . Glen Innes Examiner . Glen Innes, New South Wales . 14 April 1938 . 23 July 2023 . 1 . National Library of Australia.
  64. News: Obituary . The Port Macquarie News And Hastings River Advocate . Port Macquarie, New South Wales . 21 November 1942 . 23 July 2023 . 4 . National Library of Australia.
  65. News: Death Fall Down Lift Well . The Sydney Morning Herald . New South Wales, Australia . 15 March 1954 . 23 July 2023 . 6 . National Library of Australia.
  66. News: Ex-M.L.C. Falls to Death from Hotel Metropole . Goulburn Evening Post . New South Wales, Australia . 17 March 1954 . 23 July 2023 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
  67. News: Solicitor's death fall . The Daily Telegraph . New South Wales, Australia . 18 March 1954 . 23 July 2023 . 34 . National Library of Australia.
  68. News: New Fall Down Lift Well . The Sydney Morning Herald . New South Wales, Australia . 22 March 1954 . 23 July 2023 . 1 . National Library of Australia.
  69. News: Third Fatal Fall from Same Hotel . The Daily Telegraph . New South Wales, Australia . 22 March 1954 . 23 July 2023 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
  70. News: Hotel window warning . The Sun . New South Wales, Australia . 30 June 1954 . 23 July 2023 . 28 . National Library of Australia.
  71. Web site: Height of Buildings (Amendment) Act, 1957 . 31 October 2019 . NSW Legislation . NSW Government.
  72. Web site: Novak . Matt . The Anti-Skyscraper Law That Shaped Sydney, Australia . Smithsonian.com . 31 October 2019 . 10 September 2012.
  73. News: $4.5m Hooker offer for Hotel Metropole . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 7 June 1968 . 23 July 2023 . 15 . National Library of Australia.
  74. News: Metropole board says 'No' to offer . The Canberra Times . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 8 June 1968 . 23 July 2023 . 19 . National Library of Australia.
  75. News: Hooker fails to get Metropole . The Canberra Times . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 6 September 1968 . 23 July 2023 . 12 . National Library of Australia.
  76. News: $6m offer for Metropole by Lend Lease . The Canberra Times . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 1 April 1969 . 23 July 2023 . 31 . National Library of Australia.
  77. News: New bid possible for Metropole . The Canberra Times . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 25 April 1969 . 23 July 2023 . 8 . National Library of Australia.
  78. News: $8.4m offer for Metropole . The Canberra Times . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 16 May 1969 . 23 July 2023 . 14 . National Library of Australia.
  79. News: Lend Lease withdraws . The Canberra Times . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 31 May 1969 . 23 July 2023 . 17 . National Library of Australia.
  80. News: Metropole likely to change hands . The Canberra Times. Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 21 June 1969 . 23 July 2023 . 16 . National Library of Australia.
  81. News: Metropole Says 'Yes' to Parkes-Stocks . The Sydney Morning Herald . 16 May 1969 . 10.
  82. News: Buildings approved . The Canberra Times . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 12 August 1969 . 23 July 2023 . 7 . National Library of Australia.
  83. News: $6.3m Plan for Hotel Site . The Sydney Morning Herald . 12 August 1969 . 4.
  84. News: Metropole . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 3 April 1970 . 22 July 2023 . 1 . National Library of Australia.
  85. News: CAGA at $4.12m: dividend, 1 pc . The Canberra Times . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 29 July 1970 . 23 July 2023 . 25 . National Library of Australia.
  86. News: From Metropole to CAGA Centre . The Sydney Morning Herald . 28 July 1970 . 22.
  87. Web site: Tooth & Company Limited yellow cards – Metropole Hotel card 6 side 1 . The Noel Butlin Archives Centre . Australian National University . 9 August 2023.
  88. News: Mahoney . Peter . Metropole Likely As 1st Tavern . The Sydney Morning Herald . 19 July 1970 . 21.
  89. News: McGregor . Adrian . There'll Be Taverns In The Town... . The Sydney Morning Herald . 22 November 1970 . 59.
  90. News: Frykberg . Ian . Price of land closes hotels in city . The Sydney Morning Herald . 31 December 1970 . 5.
  91. Web site: Tooth & Company Limited yellow cards – Metropole Hotel card 7 side 1 . The Noel Butlin Archives Centre . Australian National University . 9 August 2023.
  92. News: Frizell . Helen . Where my true love sits . The Sydney Morning Herald . 20 December 1975 . 13 . The Metropole Tavern, which opened a year ago, with Mr Warren Hodges, 29, as manager. The tavern is on the site of the old Metropole Hotel, which was the haunt of country people. Mr Hodges, from Armidale, never saw the old Metropole. The tavern has an 18-inch square nameplate from the hotel site as a souvenir. This Millers tavern has a Quayside Bistro, a Pewter Jug Bar (the older crowd, 35–40, assemble here) and the Regent Bar (favourite of the "youngies"). On certain nights there's a discotheque. By day, the tavern attracts workers from nearby banks, insurance companies and State offices. "They're the suit type," says Mr Hodges, "You don't get blokes wearing singlets." Sometimes country people – remembering the hotel – drop in to "stickybeak" at the tavern, with its air-conditioned bars, piped music, red-coated waiters, and meals ... (ravioli $1.50 ... prawn salad, $2.50). Last month, a couple celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary with a party there. They did this for sentimental reasons. They had honeymooned at the Metropole Hotel..
  93. Web site: Metropole Tavern . Australian Music Database.
  94. News: Coupe . Stuart . Romantic are alive and rockin' . The Sydney Morning Herald . 27 April 1980 . 97.
  95. News: Coupe . Stuart . Critics' Choice – Pop/Rock . The Sydney Morning Herald . 3 February 1980 . 81.
  96. News: Coupe . Stuart . Variety! That's the Sydney live . The Sun-Herald . 11 January 1981 . 31.
  97. News: Public Notices – Notice of Application for Conditional Removal of a Publicans Licence and for Endorsement as a Tavern . The Sydney Morning Herald . 17 September 1981 . 30.

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