St George’s House (Cardigan House, Bishops Grove, Ingle Hall, The Terrace Hotel)
What is now the Terrace Hotel was originally built as five houses to provide a regular income for Perth’s Anglican Diocese. The land had been donated by Bishop Matthew Hale, along with several other buildings, when he left Western Australia to take up the position of Bishop of Brisbane. Originally known as ‘Bishop’s Grove’, the row of houses had a variety of lives until becoming a hotel in 2012.
Designed by J. J. Talbot Hobbs, one of Western Australia’s most significant architects, tenders were called in August 1891 for the “erection and completion of five houses (in two blocks) in St George’s Terraceâ€. The buildings were completed by July 1892, when the Diocesan Treasurer, Thomas Sherwood, advertised for tenants for the new houses.
From World War I, the 1891 buildings were used as boarding houses, and extensive additions and alterations were carried out in 1939. During the 1960s, ‘Cardigan’, as it was now called, was converted from boarding houses into offices. During the 1980s, there were plans to demolish the place due to its dilapidated condition, However, property developer Alistair McAlpine decided to retain and refurbish the building and rename it St George’s House.
Opening in 2012, St George’s House was refurbished and converted into a luxury boutique hotel, The Terrace Hotel, with fifteen rooms, bar and restaurant. Today it remains both a reminder of Bishop Hale’s gift to the Diocese, a fine example of Talbot Hobb’s architecture, and a place for tourists and business people to enjoy the historic surroundings over a meal and a drink.
What is now the Terrace Hotel was originally built as five houses to provide a regular income for Perth’s Anglican Diocese. The land had been donated by Bishop Matthew Hale, along with several other buildings, when he left Western Australia to take up the position of Bishop of Brisbane. Originally known as ‘Bishop’s Grove’, the row of houses had a variety of lives until becoming a hotel in 2012.
Matthew Hale was the first Anglican Bishop of Perth and was independently wealthy. He purchased five allotments on St George’s Terrace to build a home for his family. Hale favoured this location because of the natural spring that flowed all year round. He built several buildings there including Bishop’s House (1859), Bishop’s Cottage (1860), and Hale Cottage (1872).
After he left in 1875, Hale donated all his land to the Perth Diocesan Council, which constructed several additional buildings, included Bishop’s Grove (1892), St George’s Mansion (c. 1930) and Bishop’s Court (1935). All these were leased to private tenants to provide an income for the diocese.
Designed by J. J. Talbot Hobbs, one of Western Australia’s most significant architects, tenders were called in August 1891 for the “erection and completion of five houses (in two blocks) in St George’s Terraceâ€. The buildings were completed by July 1892, when the Diocesan Treasurer, Thomas Sherwood, advertised for tenants for the new houses. A photograph taken in 1895 shows two buildings very similar in style. Both have prominent gables facing the street, corbelled chimneys, and single level verandahs with decorative timber-work.
Bishop’s Grove, along with other buildings on the site, has had many name changes throughout their history. A 1935 set of flats on the site were given the name Bishop’s Grove, at which point the terraces became ‘Cardigan’ and later ‘St George’s House’. The new Bishop’s Grove flats were demolished in 1986.
From World War I, the 1891 buildings were used as boarding houses, and extensive additions and alterations were carried out in 1939 to ‘Cardigan’. Architects Hobbs and Winning designed a further 26 bedrooms and bathrooms and lavatories at the rear. During the 1960s, ‘Cardigan’, as it was now called, was converted from boarding houses into offices, and a lunch bar was provided on the ground floor.
During the 1980s, there were plans to demolish ‘Cardigan’ due to its dilapidated condition, However, property developer Alistair McAlpine decided to retain and refurbish the building and rename it St George’s House. Architectural firm Oldham Boas Ednie-Brown were commissioned to restore the building, revealing in the process the original character of the place which had been hidden from view for more than 50 years.
Opening in 2012, St George’s House was refurbished and converted into a luxury boutique hotel, The Terrace Hotel, with fifteen rooms, bar and restaurant. Today it remains both a reminder of Bishop Hale’s gift to the Diocese, a fine example of Talbot Hobb’s architecture, and a place for tourists and business people to enjoy the historic surroundings over a meal and a drink.
West Australian 6 August 1891
West Australian 14 July 1892
Western Mail 22 July 1898