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IMPERIAL HOTEL
Date Opened : 1869
Date Closed : 1960
Address :
80 King William Street, Adelaide
History
| HANN'S HOTEL | 1869 | 1871 |
| IMPERIAL HOTEL | 1871 | 1960 |
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Labels
Hotel Photos
Schurgott Collection
Ephemera & Paperwork
Publicans
| The Imperial Hotel began its life as Hann’s Hotel in 1869, making it one of the later Victorian-era hotels built in Adelaide’s city centre. It was established by Asher Hann, who secured its license later that same year. Hann managed the hotel for just two years before selling it to William Borten, who renamed it the Imperial Hotel in 1871. In the 1870s, the Imperial marketed itself as a premier dining destination, proudly advertising its first-class chefs. The hotel also became a popular stop for explorers and gold prospectors heading to the Northern Territory, making it a vibrant hub of frontier ambition and colonial adventure. By the early 20th century, the Imperial had grown into a central venue for public celebrations and civic pride. It hosted major events marking the end of both World Wars, royal coronations, and other significant national moments. Its prominent location and welcoming atmosphere made it a natural gathering point for the people of Adelaide. However, as the decades passed, the hotel’s age and prime location began to work against it. With increasing development pressures and changing tastes, the Imperial Hotel was sold and demolished by the end of the 1950s.  1957 State Library [PRG 1662/9/59] |