IN 1880, mayor Patrick Kenna opened the Great Western Hotel in Peisley Street.
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Almost 140 years later, the hotel is still trading under its original name and its current owner wants to restore some of its original glory.
Owner Matthew Hardman has displayed concept designs for refurbishments to the front bar and the bistro at the business for clients to view.
"We have lots of regular customers to the hotel, so it's giving those people an opportunity to have a look and make comment," he said.
He described the plans as contemporary Australian in style, taking inspiration from the Terminus Hotel at Pyrmont, balancing new subway tiles, pressed metal and greenery against the building's heritage features.
In the early years, the hotel was the last stop before travellers ventured into the outback and Mr Hardman said the venue would stick to what it had always provided: a drink, a feed and a bed.
"What I'm trying to achieve is keep the history of the hotel but at the same time, ensure there's contemporary spaces people in this day and age feel comfortable in," he said.
Mr Hardman encouraged all feedback and hoped to have work started in the next six weeks.
The renovations will mark the first stage of the project, on the back of a recently-overhauled menu and refurbished kitchen.
The second stage of the renovations will look to the accommodation and the outdoor areas.
"The rear part is a significant opportunity to have a much bigger space with entertainment and dining," he said.
After researching the building's history with the help of the Orange and District Historical Society, Mr Hardman said his dream was to restore the 3.6-metre wide verandahs on the Peisley and Kite Street frontages.
"It was a beautiful, ornate wrought iron verandah - it was still there in 1925 and it would really make [the hotel] a feature from Peisley Street," he said.
The Great Western Hotel was one of seven hotels in Orange when the railway was opened, but is the only one still bearing its original name and built form.
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