Save the Windsor Hotel
Melbourne’s 19th century Windsor Hotel is at risk of irreparable damage if a proposal to redevelop the site is approved.
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/
Comments
15 responses to “Save the Windsor Hotel”
I read recently of the proposed additions to this wonderful heritage hotel, and do hope the “backdrop” does not eventuate. Of course the owners need to make The Windsor viable, and no doubt some improvements are necessary to the interior. I have memories going back MANY years of dining at The Windsor in great style, before an easy stroll to the nearby theatre.
The staircase to the guests rooms was always something to admire, in fact, the whole atmosphere of hotel was one of discreet opulence.
I am fortunate to have sampled the afternoon teas on a few occasions,(usually for a birthday treat) and loved the silver tea service, and silver cake stands, and the unobtrusive waiters attending.
These memories are with me forever, and along with you and countless others I hope most of the existing structure remains, and the “backdrop” as it is proposed does not take place.
In my personal opinion the corner building is in many ways more offensive than the tower. Both are very unfortunate designs for Melbourne and as you say will age very quickly. Still I find it very hard to believe that the Windsor needs to compete as a modern hotel when it can upgrade its heritage assets and focus on its niche market.
Bad idea, I think. There must be other ways to bring in business. The design of the extension to the Windsor is quite ugly to be honest.
Is modernisation and “luxurification” of the rooms not possible in the old shell? If I want a grand glass tower I will go to Dubai or Sydney, if I want true class and luxury I will stick to The Windsor in Melbourne or perhaps The Savoy in London.
Spread the word on twitter using the #savethewindsor hashtag. This can’t be allowed to happen!
This building will not pass the Building Code of Australia Section J Energy Efficiency Requirements. The orientation of facades is facing east and west therefore permitting massive heat gains to the building. Given the height restrictions of the area, there will be no shading from other buildings. This leaves the architect with the option of external shading (which will change the conditions of the building permit) or a prohibitively expensive glazing (which will kill the building commercially).
Come up with a better design please! The concept is ugly and will show it’s age within a decade or two.
RALLY: 25th March 1pm on the steps of Parliament – organised by the National Trust, Planning Backlash, Protectors of Public Lands
Please leave it alone, it has so much historical significance and we have so few historic buildings left in Melbourne anyway.
Whilst I’m not a fan of DCM’s form of architectural expression, their programmatic and historical response is outstanding. Australia has a history of misguided opposition to modern architectural responses. In this instance, that fact that the singular historically significant building element is brought to the fore and the interiors exposed in all their splendour appears to be lost on the detractors. If you want a truly outstanding example of what I’m talking about, look at the Reichstag in Berlin, before you are so hasty to judge the architect’s response. It has over a million visitors each year.
I have just spent four days staying at the Windsor Hotel. I am very saddened to find out that there are plans to demolish part of this hotel. Of course, only the suites will remain and I as a poor traveller will not be able to afford to stay in these and I will be forced to stay in the tower. Please do not reduce this beautiful old hotel to a mere facade like so many of our great old buildings. This is where governments should step in but are failing so badly to make it viable for owners to keep these old buildings which contribute so much to our heritage and culture.
I have written a poem called Saving The Windsor and will perform it at Loop Bar, 23 Meyers Place, one lane behind The Windsor, 7.30 pm Thursday 16th September, 2010.
It is the launch of the Melbourne Poetry Map, a podcast of a dozen poems about places in Melbourne by Melbourne poets – you can do a tour of the sites as you listen to the related poems.
Please leave the hotel as it is. The modern futuristic addition it will totally destroy the building’s character. I have recently stayed at the hotel and it needs definatelly an improvment, but in interior decorating not sky craping extensions…I could already see that one of the wings of the hotel, looks like a more recent addition to the building, in an art deco style (who approved that?) that already destroys part of it. The ownres think only about making more money out of this, when they could invest in preserving this heritage building, that everyone will appreciate. Bring the “ritz” back in this grandious building. Don’t create a monster of glass and steel. Shame on them for even thinking like that!!!
Whilst fully appreciative of the financial advantages to the owners in such an expansion, the design of the tower is quite ordinary and ugly. For me, staying at the Windsor has always been about being able to experience the wonder of yesteryear. There are enough modern places to stay in Melbourne. This building is the last of a bygone era. Once it is gone it is gone. Any additions should be complementary and not involve destruction of historical significance, no matter how lucrative. It is a Melbourne icon being converted by an overseas interest with no emotional connection, comprehension or taste. It is a tacky design. Many better designs are possible.
If all of the building is listed as National Heritage, how can they build this ghastly proposed backdrop and alter the interior? This is the last place left in Melbourne where one can relax in the ambiance and luxury of a bygone era. As others have stated, if you want modern go to Crown or any other hotel in Melbourne. Will look totally out of place in the Parliament precinct. What, as the public, can we do to top this?
The proposed corner building is an utter disgrace. It looks offensive and destroys the heritage ambience of which is an important precinct of Melbourne. Thanks to people like Madden and his ilk we are well on the way to having a city like Hong Kong…utterly bereft of any heritage buildings.