Historic building works done

AN extensive renovation of Reid’s Guesthouse on Lydiard Street North has been completed.

Owned by Uniting Care, the historic building located next to Ballarat Station provides low cost accommodation to people in need.

The renovation was funded through a $1.2 million grant from the State government from the Living Heritage Program.

In 2017, $700,000 was allocated for works on the outside of the building while $500,000 went towards interior renovations.

“I’m delighted at what this project has delivered for Ballarat,” said Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison.

“It has restored another prominent building in the important Lydiard Street North streetscape, and it has enabled the residents here to feel pride and a sense of ownership in their home.

“In Ballarat we live amongst heritage and history every day and retaining our beautiful streets and buildings is so important.

“Reid’s Guesthouse is an example of the way that we live our history in Ballarat. Under its heritage exterior it has a significant and important purpose.”

Built in 1886 by John Reid, Reid’s Guesthouse is a former gold rush coffee palace of the temperance movement.

Mr Reid was a German immigrant who moved to Ballarat and opened a bakery to service miners working the diggings.