Historic outback pub hits the market as restoration costs soar
A heritage-listed hotel in Western Australia's Goldfields, infamous for its connection to the murders of two police officers a century ago, hits the market with an asking price of more than $1 million.
The 128-year-old Cornwall Hotel in Boulder, Western Australia, is currently on the market for more than $1 million after facing significant restoration costs. Built in 1898 by Cornish miners during the gold rush, the hotel has been the site of riots and earthquakes. While it has undergone extensive structural repairs since the 2010 earthquake, the interior still requires substantial restoration work.
The hotel's unique heritage and historical significance are seen as a potential selling point, but the current shortage of skilled tradespeople and the onerous heritage restrictions pose challenges for potential buyers. The hotel's history includes the notorious murders of two police officers in 1926, which led to the building being used as a scene of violence.
Despite these dark events, the hotel has been a beloved landmark for many, with its most famous former licensee, Evan Clarke, turning King's evidence following the murders. Negotiations with insurers and state government grants have helped fund the hotel's restoration, but the process remains difficult due to the need for specialized heritage knowledge and tradesmen.
The City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder offers grants of up to $50,000 to private owners of heritage-listed buildings, but uptake has been limited in recent years.
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