The Great Southern Hotel

A hotel has existed at 717-723 George Street Haymarket since at least 1858. The hotel at that time was called The Farmer's Home and the licensee was Michael McNarmara. In 1903 he rebuilt Nos. 717-721 George Street as a four-storey hotel and renamed it the Great Southern Hotel. Notwithstanding the change of name the hotel continued to enjoy the patronage of country visitors. Being opposite Central station made it the first accomodation venue new arrivals would see.

It is significant as the finest and rare example of a face brick hotel building of Interwar striped Classical Style in the CBD. The building retains all its original external detailing above the awning and much of the interior and original furniture.

Detail of the facade

I remember as a child on my first trip to Sydney with my father in the early 60's that the Great Southern Hotel is the first thing I saw when exiting Central Railway Station. It has been indelibly etched in my mind as my first memory of Sydney ever since.

View of the main bar today

The hotel in 1930

View of the hotel in 1939

In 1938 it was redesigned by Virgil Dante Cizzio (who later changed his surname to Renshaw) and the Public Bar opened in October 1939 with the remainder in December. The building has social importance for its long association with country travellers and for its more recent association with international Art Deco enthusiasts.

Public bar in 1939

The Saloon Bar in 1939

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Sources:

• City of Sydney Heritage Listings
• ANU Open Research Library Archive

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