Sydney Harbour Bridge secret discovered in Kirribilli hotel

A mysterious metal beam discovered under the floor of Kirribilli Hotel could have a historic link to the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The Harbour Bridge under construction in 1930. Picture: State Library of New South Wales.

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A SLICE of the Sydney Harbour Bridge could be hiding under the floorboards of a Kirribilli Hotel.

Renovations at Glenferrie Lodge unearthed a mysterious hot-riveted steel beam holding up the floor.

And owner Jean-Claude Branch reckons he knows why it ended up there.

“I’m going with the story that the steel fell off the back of a truck on its way to the bridge and they ended up building this building with it,” he said.

“Given the day I haven’t anyone to ask about it.”

Hotel owner Jean-Claude Branch has his own theory about the beam. Photo: Adam Ward

The mysterious beam can be viewed through a glass panel. Photo: Adam Ward

The beam was found in Glenferrie’s second building which was constructed in 1932. The bridge opened in the same year.

“It’s far too big for the purpose,” he said. “It’s 50cm deep and it’s not a very large building. You would never use this type of construction in a house.

“Generally houses back in the day were built out of timber and brick, but never hot-riveted steel.”

The property is heritage listed and there is a glass panel so guests can look at the unusual beam.

Bridge engineer John Bradfield with colleagues in 1931. Picture: University of Sydney Archives from the TW Edgeworth David Personal Archives

Mr Branch also owns two other heritage-listed hotels in the area: Dalziel Lodge and Cremorne Point Manor.

He has worked hard to make sure the Victorian properties work in the modern era and that the history of the buildings is a key part of the guest experience.

He tries to show guests that they are staying in a building with history and has included lots of interesting features.

The Harbour Bridge celebrated 80 years in 2012. Picture: Supplied

Guests are transported back in time at Dalziel Lodge thanks to photographs of the area taken by the original owner Robert Dalziel Ward.

“When you travel you want to have a story, you want to have an experience,” Mr Branch said.

For details visit emeraldcityhotels.com

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