First opened on 20 April 1847, this was St Kilda’s first hotel, established in the former home of Sir William A’Beckett, the first Chief Justice of Victoria at 22 The Esplanade, corner Robe Street, St Kilda. Its owner Joseph Howard was well known as the licensee of the Union Hotel in Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, however it became more famous under James Mooney, who took over the license in 1853. Mooney, and subsequently his family, ran the hotel until 1899.Photograph of lithograph, a line-engraving printed in black ink from one copper plate.st kilda hotels, mooney's royal hotel, royal hotel

black and white photograph mounted, fair conditionHand written on the back: Mooney's Royal Hotel, cnr Robe Street and Esplanade in the 1840s. Belvedere block of flats built 1929 (Hotel reads "Millar's Royal Hotel" on front of photograph)