Balgownie - Historic buildings

Balgownie Hotel
Address: Cnr. Balgownie Road and Kembla Street, Balgownie
The Balgownie Hotel was built in 1904 on the hill in Balgownie and served the miners from the Balgownie mine. It was built of local brick and rendered it originally had an iron lace verandah which was removed when the breweries modernised the hotels on the coast. The parapet has ten short columns as features and an electric light plant was installed in 1908. (Ali, Illawarra Region Historic Buildings and Sites vol. 2 p. 56)
The village of Balgownie was transformed in 1904 by the building of the grand Balgownie Hotel. It was built in the Federation Filigree style typical of corner hotels in Australia at the time. "The lacy filigree wrought iron balustrade was a dominant feature which gave the building great visual appeal." (Illawarra Mercury, 15/6/2000 p. 15)
As the Victorian era progressed two storey verandahs became common and the Balgownie Hotel is an excellent example of this type. The hotel has had its verandah reintroduced and it is a reminder of the Balgownie Hotel's original grand architecture.
Precint - Butcher's Shop c1889
Balgownie Road, Balgownie
This is a federation style shop which forms part of the last streetscape of the village of Balgownie. The building was once a Butcher's shop. After the opening of the public school in 1889 the village of Balgownie developed rapidly.
The great prosperity of the 1880's showed itself in exuberant building style ad demonstrated by this shop front. It has a simple skillion roof and an elaborate façade of brick and mouldings. (Ali, Illawarra Region Historic Buildings and Sites, vol.2 p. 55)

Last Modified: 15/07/2008