THE expansive beer garden at the rear of the Goldmines Hotel has been its major draw card in recent decades, but now the renovated facade can truly match the building's expansive gardens.
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Significant structural works on the front of the 1872 hotel were completed last month, securing the future of the heritage-listed building for decades to come.
Works included repairing the floor and structure of the upper verandah and re-casting and re-instating the broken cast iron lace panels.
Now the scaffolding has been removed, travellers on Marong Road - as well those stopping in for a bite to eat - can see the historic building as it would have been seen by generations of miners at Victoria Hill.
The works also coincided with 100 years since the death of William Charles Vahland, who designed the Goldmines Hotel in conjunction with fellow architect Robert Getzschmann.
The owners of the hotel engaged Dr Gary Hill, from Minerva Heritage, to inspect and assess the building prior to the works.
He said the hotel has been preserved for generations to come.
"(The city) was very helpful during the application process and were also of assistance in the planning of the works to ensure that a great outcome was achieved for the building," Dr Hill said.
The Goldmines Hotel was added to the Victorian Heritage Register because of its association with the architects, its representation of the lifestyle in the Victoria Hill area and its connection to Bendigo entrepreneur David Chaplain Sterry.
The heritage register described the hotel as among the simpler building designed by Vahland and Getzschmann, but is a "decorative box" which is "elegantly proportioned".
The plan form is also the same as it was in 1872, including a small bar characteristic of the period.
City of Greater Bendigo mayor Peter Cox visited the site with hotel owner Richard Walduck on Monday.
He said the city has supported the preservation of heritage buildings and places since 1998, using the Heritage Restoration Loan Scheme for no-interest loans.
"This year marks 100 years since the death of Vahland so it is quite time that this important restoration has been undertaken now," Cr Cox said.
The City of Greater Bendigo will also hold several information sessions on April 9 to help residents plan for events marking 100 years since the death of William Charles Vahland.
The month of May will be dedicated to Vahland as part of the National Trust Heritage Festival.