The Exchange Hotel sat proudly in the heart of Pinjarra for 135 years before being shuttered in 2008.
First operated as a pub in 1871 when ex-Queen’s Hotel owner James Summer Greenacre purchased the lots from Dr Bedingfeld, legend has it the name was born from the exchange of licences between the two businessmen.
Four years after its closure the Shire of Murray acquired the site in 2012 and undertook conservation works to ensure its survival but sitting on such a prominent site – adjacent to Pinjarra’s main street, town square and popular suspension bridge – meant hiding the eyesore it had become was fruitless.
A commercial proponent was found by the Shire, but COVID-19 put paid to any progress. This led to a rethink from the Shire to seek an outcome which would benefit the community.
.jpg?width=500&height=285 "24-Heritage-Buildings-003-(ID-591025).jpg")
In late 2020, $2.3m was secured for a redevelopment through the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions Fund and British hospitality stars Karl and Janine Bullers came on board in 2021 to operate the new premise.
The Bullers bring with them extensive heritage hospitality experience, including running and owning the National Hotel and the Old Court House in Fremantle.
They have wasted no time getting to know their new patrons, hosting a meet & greet and bar, which raised more than $3800 for the Pinjarra Women’s Centre.
WA firm Devlyn Construction was awarded the $6.73m construction contract in early 2023 and expects to have the facility ready for the public in Autumn next year.
.jpg?width=500&height=157 "24-Heritage-Buildings-002-(ID-591026).jpg")
More than just an exercise in preserving history, the revamp of the Exchange Hotel is expected to create 67 full time jobs, attract 38,000 new visitors to the region each year, and pump some $58m into the local economy over five years.
And in a nod to the past, a historic photography competition is encouraging the public to submit their old images on the much-loved local landmark to be included in the internal design.
With operators secured, plans released and the community on-board, work has now begun to write the next chapter in the Exchange Hotel’s history.
Acknowledgement of Country
WALGA acknowledges the continuing connection of Aboriginal people to Country, culture and community. We embrace the vast Aboriginal cultural diversity throughout Western Australia, including Boorloo (Perth), on the land of the Whadjuk Nyoongar People, where WALGA is located and we acknowledge and pay respect to Elders past and present.