Hides Hotel, Cairns

Hides Hotel, also known as Hides Cairns Hotel, holds significant historical and architectural value, earning its place in the Queensland Heritage Register on 21st October 1992.

Designed by Sydenham Stanley Oxenham and built in 1928 by Michael Thomas Garvey, Hides Hotel is a three-storeyed reinforced concrete structure that was constructed in two stages. The initial construction took place in 1928, followed by further expansion around c. 1936. The hotel was established for the O'Hara family, who were well-known publicans in the Cairns region.

Hides Hotel was erected adjacent to an earlier Hides' Cairns Hotel, and for nearly four decades, the two buildings operated together, functioning under the name Hides' Hotel.

The architectural features of Hides Hotel are notable and showcase the building's unique character. The first floor boasts a wide timber verandah that extends along both street frontages. This verandah is adorned with a wide batten balustrade, a hardboard panelled ceiling, and a corrugated iron skillion awning, creating a welcoming and relaxing space for hotel guests.

While the ground floor facade has been altered over time, with a pebble render finish to the walls and non-original window and door units, the first floor retains its original charm. The first floor features timber-framed, multi-paned doors with fanlights, most of which have been fitted with air conditioning units, offering a blend of modern amenities with historical aesthetics.

The second floor of Hides Hotel showcases aluminum-framed hopper windows set within original arched openings, elegantly framed by rendered mouldings and pilasters. The Lake Street elevation of the hotel proudly displays the words "HIDES CAIRNS HOTEL" along the parapet, providing a clear indication of its identity and historical significance. Additionally, a slightly recessed central bay on this facade features a balcony with a rendered balustrade and a central flagpole mounted on a rendered scrolled base at the parapet, adding to the building's visual appeal.