Maurice Nathan, who, upon his arrival, was “presented with frangipani bloom gathered by a bathing girl from flowers floating on top of the motel’s heated swimming pool”. In his speech, Cr Nathan stated that he considered the opening of a new motel to be “as important as that of a new office building or factory”, and went on to plant some palm trees in front of the building to mark the occasion.
Epilogue For the remainder of the 1960s, the Parkroyal and the Palm Lake maintained a healthy rivalry for the position of Melbourne’s most prestigious motel. During that period, both establishments would be substantially enlarged: the Parkroyal increasing to 140 suites and the Palm Lake to 164 suites. By the end of the decade, the latter was still advertising itself as both “Australia’s largest motor inn” and “Melbourne’s best value accommodation”, while the former was content to assert simply that it was “Melbourne’s finest motor inn”.
Sadly, Royal Parade and Queens Road have both long since lost their status as Melbourne’s premier motel strips. Several early motels have already been demolished (the Commodore and President Motels on Queens Road, and the Caravilla de Ville on Royal Parade) while others have been adapted and remodelled for other uses (the John Batman and Queenlodge on Queens Road, both converted into residential apartments, and the old Zebra Motel at 303 Royal Parade, now a religious training college). The former Palm Lake and Parkroyal motels both remain in operation – albeit under new names. Much of the original 1960s character of the Palm Lake Motel has been obliterated through successive phases of remodelling, which include a new facade, two more storeys and multi-level rear carpark that surrounds the once-famous swimming pool terrace; however, the two Canary Island date palm trees on the Queens Road frontage – planted by Melbourne’s Lord Mayor at the official opening in December 1961 – still stand as a reminder of its original name.
While the former Parkroyal in Parkville has also been extensively refurbished, much of its original 1960s charm has been retained. Its trademark parabolic arch, in particular, still remains – after almost fifty years – an eye-catching motif for passing motorists along Royal Parade. n All illustrations are from postcards, booklets and magazines in the author’s collection.
Simon Reeves is the principal of Built Heritage Pty Ltd, a Melbourne-based heritage consultancy firm that specialises in twentieth century (and particularly postSecond World War) heritage places. He has spent several years researching the history of motels in Australia, with a view to the eventual publication of a book on the subject. Simon would be pleased to hear from anyone who has special knowledge of Australia’s early motel industry, or may possess any photographs, press clippings, magazines, brochures or other memorabilia relating to this. He can be contacted through his website at www.builtheritage.com.au