Authors: Liz Gorman, Dr. Roy Lumby & Dr. Sue Rosen
Client: Thomas Hotels
Hurstville's Meridian Hotel has been presiding over Forest Road since it opened as the White Horse Hotel, in July 1927. In celebration of its opening, publican Samuel Wallington put on an open bar for the first two hours; serving up 600 gallons of beer - which roughly equates to 2727 litres or 6418 schooners!
Comissioned by Tooth and Co, the imposing Interwar hotel was designed by celebrated hotel architects Provost, Synnot and Ruwald.
Sue Rosen Associates crafted an interpretation strategy to be implemented during proposed conservation/alteration works to this heritage-listed hotel. We aimed to tell the story of the hotel, its place as an icon of the Forest Road streetscape, and its important role as an architectural connection with other affluent suburban centres of the time. Looking beyond images and signage, experiences extended to classic beer/wine offers and themed events. The schedule of conservation works written to accompany the strategy also ensured that accomodation guests will still get to experience elements of the then-opulent hospitality of the hotel.
However you knew the hotel; as the White Horse, Stallions, the Roundabout or the Meridian, there will be something to twig a memory or create a new one.