The site of the current building was originally a ‘Sly Grog’ tent on the main track from Melbourne into Forest Creek (the original name of Castlemaine). It is believed it was set up in 1851 and was quickly replaced by a more substantial (and respectable) slab bark hut that was replaced within 18 months by entrepreneurs with larger horizons.
The present building was constructed in stages between 1854 and 1858 as a corner hotel and 3 separate shops with living accommodation over. It was originally known as Butterworth’s building as the two Butterworth bothers were local personalities investors and generally active in business in the town. The first tenant of the hotel was a Mr McMahon who named it ‘McMahon’s Commercial hotel’. Later the name was abbreviated to The Commercial and finally in 2011 to The Comma.
In the 1890’s a recession hit the area as the initial gold mining activity ebbed away and the shops were gradually absorbed into an expansion of the hotel that finally by 1900 occupied the whole ground floor. Subsequent alterations to the first floor incorporated the rooms as part of the accommodation the hotel offered. The hotel was a regular stopping haunt for commercial travellers, SP bookmakers, quack doctors and medicine pedlars, horse traders and even judges completing their court circuits.
The rear yard of the hotel was also used as a ‘change station’ for the horses that pulled the Melbourne coach and this activity provided the thirsty travellers that fuelled the pub’s business.
It was built in classic Victorian style with high ceilings, substantial thick double-brick walls and solid timber floors. It has remained in good condition helped by the relatively dry climate of this area.
The present owners are re-visioning the whole site as a mixed use precinct that combines residential apartments with complimentary ground floor commercial amenities. The complimentary ground floor comprises commercial and hospitality businesses.
The exterior façade was renovated to its original condition in August 2018 and preserves the vintage simplicity of early 19th century building proportions. The apartments are architect-designed to compliment the character of the building whilst providing light filled spaces and modern facilities with views to the eastern ridges and the Burke & Wills memorial.
The 5 apartments preserve the classic features of the Victorian era including the high ceilings, elegant two metre tall sash windows and well proportioned spaces. Extra space is created by extending at the rear of the existing building on two levels that will include an entry porch on the first floor and a master bedroom on the second floor. Each unit has a balcony or patio looking East and the corner unit has a rooftop sundeck with views South West over the local park.
1 & 2 bedroom multi-level residencies in a rejuvenated 1800’s heritage building int he heart of Castlemaine.