if you look closely in at the window design you can see its the original rooms from the 60s below
Strangely I was thinking about the Red Castle over the weekend given it was Halloween and was wondering if it was still there? – so I took a spin out to Rivervale to try and find it and oh my god it is still there!! – but now in full abandoned glory. Unbelievable for Perth I know that it has survived even it its abandoned state – it has been due for the bulldozer for ages now.
So with a few snaps of my own I trawled the web to find some others and have collated some of them here to create for you this atmospheric trip down memory lane….
…but wait there is more… the Function Room looks like it could still ‘function’ (check out the shot through the window and the Knight in armour) – so I am making some enquiries… lets get King Arthur’s revolving restaurant revolving again – anyone want to host a party with me? – THE Party!!
Sadly the main hotel complex has a reputation for being very dodgy – some amazingly sleazy interior photos to be found here
UPDATE: After the initial post Rodney one of the head honchos back in the day made contact via Worst of Perth and provided a glimpse into the pure style that was to be found back in the 70s in Rivervale!!!
“There was no Beef Wellington, but we did Steak Dianne at the table, Chateaubriand, whole smoked salmon carved at the table, flambéing crepes suzette, flaming coffees and liqueurs were all the go… especially Irish coffee ..All the waiting staff were in dinner suits and white aprons .. very European and even more so after I employed several New Australians. The restaurant was full every day and night for years… also the Bistro which was the original steak house associated with the original Motel… had great character with wood. With the new accommodation block came the new restaurant. I held court in the cocktail bar most nights…
Definitely meuniere was on the menu. I used to have a regular Friday am breakfast radio ring in ad, based on the “revolting restaurant”. It was the table cooking that made the place … with a flick of the wrist, may I say.
Rock bands used to stay there … it was not until years later that I ran into a few of them again and was informed of all the pot smoking, huddled under blankets in the suite”.
UPDATE: After years of neglect and being known as a complete dive the beginning of the end came in 2012 and a fire on the top floor of the main building followed by redevelopment – only the heritage turret remains in the new apartment complex today…
Thanks
Massive respect for the photos I found that I have included but actually belong to others…
Thanks – The Lazy Aussie – The Red Castle occasionally gets a mention on the Worst of Perth including the wine list from the legendary King Arthur’s Round Table revolving restaurant.
Thanks – Bendog – ‘Photographer to the Stars’ (see Flickr) and a friend of his who actually took photos at a party a few years ago – I wish I had been there!!!
Thanks – Penny Lane for the incredible crumbling castle model shoot featuring Emma Bergmeier-Varian more here
Especially Wymlog for this post and its extensive photo set
Thanks also Matt Banks and iKacy and others who took photos you can see on Flickr
