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Produced and published by the School of Historical & Philosophical Studies, The University of Melbourne
Published July 2008
Published July 2008
Partners
(34 Franklin Street)
One of the oldest city hotels still operating under its original name, this two-storey bluestone building with its wide verandah (added 1914) looks more like a bush pub than a city bar. Construction was started in 1853 for James McMillan to a design by James and Charles Webb. When its licence was granted in 1855 Mac's served as both a hotel and coaching terminal for those departing for the goldfields. Trans-Australia Airlines bought the hotel in 1970 hoping to extend its adjacent offices, but building trade unions and the National Trust prevented the hotel's relocation to the Moe Pioneer Village. An exterior restoration was carried out in 1981.