George Hotel, Kilmarnock

The George Hotel is a former 5–star hotel located in Kilmarnock, Scotland. The building was built in the 19th century and is "B" Listed. The building is situated on land at the top of Portland Street. This land was once the home of Kilmarnock Bowling Club. It was one of the top hotels in the area. The George was Kilmarnock's 5-star hotel. The hotel closed in 1920. There were plans for the hotel to be demolished when the Town Council purchased the property, but the plans were changed. The same year as the George Hotel closed part of the building was adapted and used as the George Cinema.

The George Hotel building as Mason Murphy furniture store

The three-story building still remains today. The building still looks similar to the way it did in the days of the George Hotel. Nowadays the building is used by Mason Murphy as a furniture shop and the rest of the property is a disco.^[1]

History

The George Hotel was erected at the corner of George Street and Portland Street in Kilmarnock in 1823.^[2] It is widely speculated that Glaswegian architect John Thomson designed the building due to its distinguishable six iconic pilasters and public clock over the curved facade of the building.^[3]

The building was originally a coaching inn with posting facilities available, with the hotel serving as the towns premier location for accommodation.^[4] In June 1849, the hotel was sold by the Merchants' Company of Kilmarnock. The hotel had a large function room, and given its superiority to the town hall, was often used for hosting civic receptions.^[5]

The hotel closed in 1920 and was subsequently converted into commercial premises. The former function hall and part of the building was reconstructed as the George Cinema which opened in 1923.^[6] The building is largely occupied by Mason Murphy Furniture Retailers, which was founded in 1873.^[7]

Notable residents

• Woodrow Wilson - stayed at the hotel on 5 July 1899.^[8]
• Andrew Carnegie, industrialist and philanthropist ^[9]
• Andrew Fisher, Prime Minister of Australia^[10]
• Charles Ewart,^[11]

References

1. "Historic Scotland 78 AND 80 PORTLAND STREET AND 1 WEST GEORGE STREET HB Number 35956 Item Number142(page 6)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 June 2011. Retrieved 14 May 2008.
2. Love, Dane (2022). A Look Back at Kilmarnock. Carn Publishing. p. 15. ISBN 9781911043164.
3. Love, Dane (2022). A Look Back at Kilmarnock. Carn Publishing. p. 39. ISBN 9781911043164.
4. Love, Dane (2022). A Look Back at Kilmarnock. Carn Publishing. p. 39. ISBN 9781911043164.
5. Love, Dane (2022). A Look Back at Kilmarnock. Carn Publishing. p. 39. ISBN 9781911043164.
6. Love, Dane (2022). A Look Back at Kilmarnock. Carn Publishing. p. 39. ISBN 9781911043164.
7. Love, Dane (2022). A Look Back at Kilmarnock. Carn Publishing. p. 39. ISBN 9781911043164.
8. Woodrow Wilson Papers: Series 1: Diaries and Diary Material, 1876-1924; Diaries, 1876-1904
9. Love, Dane (2022). A Look Back at Kilmarnock. Carn Publishing. p. 39. ISBN 9781911043164.
10. Love, Dane (2022). A Look Back at Kilmarnock. Carn Publishing. p. 39. ISBN 9781911043164.
11. Love, Dane (2022). A Look Back at Kilmarnock. Carn Publishing. p. 39. ISBN 9781911043164.

55.61176°N 4.49708°W / 55.61176; -4.49708