Melbourne’s preeminent hotel, and the only remaining grand 19th century hotel in the city, is at risk of irreparable damage if a proposal to redevelop the site is approved.

The owners of the Windsor Hotel, which was built in 1887, want to add a 25-storey extension to the rear of the building and demolish two existing wings. They argue that the hotel is not commercially viable as it currently stands.

^{The Windsor Hotel}

The proposal was designed by local architects Denton Corker Marshall. A massive glass curtain, which the architects describe as a “slim and elegant” backdrop for the heritage-listed hotel, provides the main focus for the design. The proposal also includes a series of alterations to the existing  configuration of rooms.

^{The proposed tower to be constructed behind the Windsor Hotel. (Image: National Trust)}

Naturally, the National Trust are unimpressed with the plans. The Trust argues that the 25-storey tower will destroy the heritage character of the area and breach building height controls that exist along Spring Street. Current buildings are limited to 25 metres, yet this proposal is for a 92-metre tower.

In addition to the tower, the north and rear wings will be demolished and the lobby will be enlarged via the removal of the Cricketers’ Bar. The rest of the heritage part of the building will be restored, including full reinstatement of the external façade, towers, and slate roof. In total, the plan will cost the hotel owners $260 million, and the project is expected to take 36 months to complete.

^{The lobby of the Windsor Hotel}

The Windsor Hotel is of major cultural significance to the State of Victoria. The hotel started off as a temperance-inspired coffee palace before it became a hotel in the 1920′s. Over the past 130 years, the Windsor has hosted royalty, celebrities, politicians and foreign dignitaries. For generations, Melburnians have enjoyed scrumptious afternoon teas at the Windsor, in the firm knowledge that no better can be experienced anywhere else. It has also been the first choice for many newly-weds.

Where Melbourne once had two other ‘grand’ 19th-century hotels, the Windsor is the only one remaining after the Menzies Hotel and the Federal Coffee Palace were demolished several decades ago. It is therefore of significant heritage value, especially since so much of the building is intact.

^{The grand staircase at the Windsor Hotel}

Plans to demolish portions of the Windsor Hotel have been lodged with the Victorian Heritage Commission (see here). And whilst I might have had some difficulty accepting all the arguments for saving Lonsdale House (another heritage building currently at risk), I firmly believe that the Windsor warrants a strong community response to defend it from changes that I believe will irrevocably damage her character and integrity.

My concerns are as follows:

1. Since “all of the building” is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register (File No. H0764), demolition of any portion of the building should be prohibited, to not only protect the building but the integrity of the Register itself.

2. The “curtain wall” is stylistically and aesthetically in contrast with the remainder of the building, and as such will distract from the Windsor’s appearance by reducing its sense of scale and grandeur.

3. Proposals to incorporate major alterations to the interior, including the removal of the Cricketers’ Bar, and reconfiguration of the other elements, will fundamentally destroy the interior as an authentic 19th century hotel.

4. The 25-metre height limit should be maintained. Such planning restrictions have preserved the low-scale integrity of the Parliamentary precinct, and therefore the area remains as a reasonably representative 19th century streetscape.

5. Whilst I appreciate that the architects have attempted to design a structure that is as unobtrusive as possible, I am not convinced that the tower will be appreciated in 30 years, let alone 130 years. I am concerned that the Windsor will be left with a Southern Cross Hotel on it’s back.

^{The proposed extension to the Windsor Hotel. (Image: The Age)}

There’s no doubt that the Windsor Hotel must remain profitable to survive. The admirable commitment of the hotel owners to plough so much money into this project shows that they believe the Windsor has a future and that they wish to see it flourish. This investment is most commendable given the decline in the Australian economy over the past 18 months.

That said, purposefully submitting plans that far exceed allowable hight limits is questionable.  I also believe that demolishing a significant portion of the hotel to ‘save’ the remainder is inconsistent with a treatment that ought be afforded to a building of such significance.

I believe that a hotel extension should be horizontal, instead of vertical. This could be achieved through the acquisition of surrounding properties. I also believe that any proposal should feature a full restoration of the 19th century portion of the building, rather than demolition and/or reconfiguration.

More information?

The National Trust’s Save The Windsor website encourages people to lodge objections to the various authorities, whilst the hotel owner’s Future of the Windsor website provides some details of the plans.

The official submissions to the Heritage Council can be viewed here. Objections must be lodged by 5pm on Thursday 15 October, 2009.

Update: With some modifications, this project was approved by the Minister for Planning on 18 March 2010. More information in my latest article at http://blog.adonline.id.au/windsor-hotel-redevelopment/