The Century Hotel

Originally known as Askeys and then as Caseys until March 1940, the Century Hotel was purchased by Tooth & Company in July 1923.

Located at 389 George Street Sydney it was originally only two storeys. On completion of rebuilding in January 1941 the Century Hotel was a six storey brick structure, with a malthoid roof and a fully tiled ground floor exterior.

The architectural style is known as P. & O. Ship style because of its similarities to ocean liner forms. It is historically significant as part of a group of hotels like the Great Southern Hotel further along George Street, and the Hotel Broadway.

It was an important building in the professional career of the architectural partnership of Rudder and Grout, most noted for their hotel designs. It is aesthetically significant as a rare and outstanding example of a highly intact original Art Deco Hotel with an exterior and some intact interiors of high quality design.

The Liverpool street facade is shown below

Internally the building contains a semi-circular staircase which features full height glazing. The stair retains part of its original railing and timber panelling. The bar at the first floor is original and features plaster cornices, mirrors and reed glass and cocktail bar. A photo of the staircase is shown below.

Above left shows the Public bar and on the right is the Saloon bar


Sources:
  • Sydney Heritage Listing
  • Historical photographs from the Noel Butlin Archives Centre at the ANU

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