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Hotel:Laird Hotel
149 Gipps Street
Collingwood 3066
Australia
Map It
Abbotsford
Laird Hotel (1980 to present)
Laird O'Cockpen Hotel (1869 to 1980)
149 Gipps Street
Collingwood 3066
Australia
Map It
1869
N/A
Existing hotel
1888/89; 1989/95 Conservation Study suggests possibly re-built around 1912
N/A
N/A
Part A, pp.155-156
Volume 3, Appendix B, individually listed within precinct
N/A
Maps: Kearney 1855: N ; Hodgkinson 1858: N ; MMBW: Detail Plan 1312, 1901
The original name derives from a traditional Scottish song. The 1880s photos show a single storey corner building. In November 1888 architect Sydney Smith invited tenders for the pulling down and re-building of the Laird ( Building Engineers and Mining Journal 17 Nov 1888, supplement 7) .
The hotel was bought by the Burton Brewery, and then in 1912 Carlton & United Breweries acquired it.
The current building is brick, two storeys, with neo-classical detail and facade treatment. The brickwork has been overpainted, and ground floor windows and doors have been altered.
A major change took place in 1980 when it became a gay venue which has continued to be a highly regarded male only hotel. You can read all about it on their website, but ignore their statement that the hotel was built in 1847.
https://www.lairdhotel.com/about_us.php
The Laird o' Cockpen
The laird o' Cockpen, he's proud an' he's great,
His mind is ta'en up wi' things o' the State;
He wanted a wife, his braw house to keep,
But favour wi' wooin' was fashious to seek.
Down by the dyke-side a lady did dwell,
At his table head he thought she'd look well,
McClish's ae daughter o' Claversha' Lee,
A penniless lass wi' a lang pedigree.
His wig was weel pouther'd and as gude as new,
His waistcoat was white, his coat it was blue;
He put on a ring, a sword, and cock'd hat,
And wha could refuse the laird wi' a' that?
(and many more verses to follow)