Esplanade Hotel, formerly
New Bath and
Criterion 1856 -
11 The Esplanade, St Kilda
MEL: 57 K10
Esplanade Hotel, 1881
One of the most instantly identifiable and iconic St Kilda landmarks,
today’s Esplanade Hotel, the ‘Espy’, began life as the genteel New Bath Hotel
in 1856, constructed on site for James Stewart Johnston, a colourful figure in
Melbourne at the time, both as a hotelier and part-owner of the Argus newspaper. The New Bath Hotel was
demolished in the 1860s.
The new building,
completed in 1878, and altered in 1921, was designed by Smith & Johnson
(best known for designing Melbourne’s Law Courts) in
a conservative Italianate style that is nevertheless grandly conceived in a
manner that befits its imposing position on the Esplanade.Both its geographical location and the
historical moment from which it emerged; the Esplanade was one of the largest
and most prominent 19th century resort hotels in Victoria – ensuring the
influence of resort architecture in 19th century Britain, especially Brighton.
Whilst it does not appear that
Johnston ran the New Bath
himself, he leased it to a succession of licensees, the first being William
Henry Johnson.In an advertisement
in
the Argus, possibly dating back to
the late 1850s, Johnson noted the proximity to St Kilda beach the new bathing
establishment, and the proposed jetty.Yet it was his successor, Charles Wedel, who took over in 1861 and first
recognised the potential of the hotel making considerable effort to capitalise
on its entertainment and tourism potential by introducing string music, thus
consolidating the hotel’s historic role as one of the country’s premiere live
music venues.Wedel also changed the
name of the hotel to the Criterion, named for his Criterion Hotel in Collins Street. In 1864-5, Johnston sold the hotel
to solicitor Charles Duerdin.Ten years
later, the site was sold to James Orkney who, in 1877, commissioned prominent
Melbourne architects Smith
and Johnston to construct a row of terrace houses, yet was persuaded to change
his plans and erect a large hotel instead.
The Esplanade Hotel was
opened in January 1878 to cater to its residents, passing trade, tourists and
holidaymakers.Philanthropist Alfred
Felton was amongst those who took up residency at the hotel from 1892 until his
death in 1904. Felton’s generous bequest enabled many art works to be purchased
by the National Gallery of Victoria. The hotel was the permanent home for 30 to
80 people right up until the 1950s, and reputedly hosted celebrities such as
Mark Twain and Sarah Bernhardt.
View of
Esplanade Hotel from the St Kilda Pier, pre-1914 postcard
The arrival of Thomas Symington Carlyon in 1920
heralded a series of major changes to the hotel, including substantial
architectural renovation that was clearly American influenced.(A big sign ‘Carlyon’s Hotel Esplanade’ was
painted at the front; another sign advertising his taxi service ‘Carlyon’s
Taxis’ can still be seen painted on the brickwork today.)Carlyon’s musical tastes were also influenced
by the United States, and during his
reign, the hotel became a premier jazz venue.During the 30s and 40s, big bands provided weekly entertainment; this
musical tradition was continued with jazz and be-bop in the 1950s and 1960s,
and disco in the 1970s.In the early 1980s,
blues and country acts took centre stage, while new local talent was
continually being exposed to large audiences.
in
the Argus, possibly dating back to
the late 1850s, Johnson noted the proximity to St Kilda beach the new bathing
establishment, and the proposed jetty.
