‘Bridgecourt’, 9 Commerce Street, Taree

In 1949 Edward Rupert Payten invested the not inconsiderable sum of £11,000 in the construction of a ‘hostel’ on the corner of Albert Lane and Commerce Street.  Rupert was the son of Mrs Kate Payten, proprietor of the Exchange Hotel in Victoria Street, Taree, and, although he and his family had not lived locally for some time, he had knowledge of both the hotel trade and Taree.¹

The design of this new building was entrusted to Hennessey, Hennessey & Co, architects of Sydney, which had previously designed Housing Commission homes in Taree.² Built by Mr E George, the two storied building comprised 14 bedrooms together with a communal kitchen, dining room and laundry, and with self-contained accommodation for the owners.³

One early occupant was Mr H G Bruhl, a veterinary surgeon, who, in January 1950 was temporarily operating from ‘Bridgecourt’.⁴ Although Payten operated a small engineering business from the site, ‘Bridgecourt’ was described as a guesthouse or private hotel and social events and gatherings were often held there.⁵

In 1956 the building was sold to John Dudley Druitt, an investor of Cremorne, followed by a sale to Reginald Thomas Yen and Tina Yen in 1958.⁶

Having been converted to a motel, sometime after 1966 the building was rechristened ‘The Agincourt’ and so it remains today.⁷

Author: Penny Teerman