Hotel Hollywood

G’day, Charles Touma here. And today I’m outside the local institution, Hotel Hollywood on the corner of Foster and Hunt in Surry Hills to talk about the history and the future of this significant art deco venue. Last week, Hotel Hollywood was put on the market. Doris Goddard, who operated the pub for 42 years, passed away at the age of 89 in 2019, causing the business and property to eventually be sold. Doris was a massive local figure, having left behind a movie career in Hollywood. Despite being considered too tall as an actress in that era, of 5 foot 8 inches, she appeared in a movie alongside stars like Bob Hope, Katherine Hepburn, Mel Gibson and Sid James until she purchased the hotel in 1977, which includes a manager’s residence on the first floor, nine accommodation rooms on the second floor, along with 10 gaming machines and a 3:00 a.m. liquor license.

Apparently the rooftop has potential as a beer garden, but a complete redevelopment is also a possibility for this site. The word on the street is that it’s likely to fetch around $10 million, not a bad return considering Doris bought it for $175,000 in 1977, when it was already called Hotel Hollywood, having originally been named “The Nevada”. The hotel was used for filming the movie “Erskineville Kings” starring Hugh Jackman, as well as TV shows like “Blue Murder,” “Brides of Christ,” and “Water Rats,” one of my favourites. Doris had a reputation of serenading patrons in her prime with her ukulele, and was very vocal in the protests against the lockout laws. She built a reputation in the community as a leader, taking in the homeless when the hostels were full. She lived upstairs at the hotel until about 18 months before passing, quite a legend in the community that’s surely gonna be missed.

Now, I’ve been selling in Surry Hills for over 20 years. Two of my most recent sales are 118 Reservoir Street, an un-renovated three bedroom terrace which had just sold for $2.6 million, and we’ve just sold 477 Riley Street, another three bedroom terrace with rear lane access, which has just traded hands for $2.51 million. I hope you found this brief chat about the Surry Hills history informative, and my name’s Charles Touma. My office on Thurlow Street is always open to come in and have a chat.