The Terminus Hotel has been a fixture of the Abbotsford community since it was built in 1867 by Robert Dehnert, a prominent local brickmaker and landowner. 

The hotel started life as the Brickmakers Arms on the corner of Victoria and Flockhart Streets, a named inspired by the Collingwood brickmaking industry based around Flockhart Street. Robert Dehnert, a prominent brick maker in the locality and land owner who later bought out Augustus Fritsch’s brickyards immediately to the east of this building. 

The hotel’s connection with the local brick-making industry is strong. A piece in The Age on 12 September 1929 noted: “It is said by some of the older men who are still engaged in the brick industry that the first brick works in Victoria were established in the eastern side of Melbourne, where the suburbs of Abbotsford and Richmond now extend. 

“The old Brick Makers Arms Hotel [it became Brickmakers Arms] in Simpson Road (now Victoria Street) Abbotsford was built near the site of what was said to be Melbourne’s first brick works, behind the old Shamrock brewery.” 

The hotel was where the Abbotsford locals gathered, and would-be politicians held get-to-know-you meetings there. The Argus of 19 September 1856, under a headline “Collingwood Election” reported that the local candidate “Mr George Harker will meet the electors at the Brickmakers Arms at half-past eight o’clock on Friday evening September 19th.” 

The Victorian Heritage Database tells us that by 1869, Williams Dehnert was licensee, and by 1881 Henry Bossen had purchased the property. By 1890, Robert Dehnert was again owner and licensee. Dehnert’s house, on the north-west corner of Victoria and Flockhart Streets was demolished in 1988. 

In 1923 the hotel’s name was changed to The Terminus, inspired by the hotel’s location of the hotel near the end of the Victoria street cable tram route which terminated at Victoria Bridge. The building was later remodelled in the Moderne style. 

Remarkably a hotel has occupied this site continuously since 1866. Although the original 19th century building has been altered the hotel remains an historically significant local landmark and a rare surviving building associated with the brick making industry in Abbotsford.  

Brickmaking once occupied all the land along both sides of Flockhart Street, but by the 1880s had relocated to the eastern and northern suburbs. 

The Victorian Heritage Database tells us members of the Dehnert family were associated with the hotel into the twentieth century. 

In more recent years The Terminus was earmarked for demolition and redevelopment when it came to the attention of Sand Hill Road owners, Matt and Andy Mullins, Tom Birch and Doug Maskiell who, noting it was their local and did not want it to disappear, undertook a major re-design. 

It was a delicate challenge to revamp the pub while retaining its rich heritage and historical significance. 

The original heritage protected façade, built in 1923, was restored, and the art deco-inspired front bar and famous green paint-job remain today. 

The new island public bar draws inspiration from the Art Deco era. 

The hotel has witnessed many changes in the Abbotsford area, including the transformation of the suburb from an industrial and working-class neighborhood to a hip, sought-after area. 

While its neighborhood has transformed, the Terminus Hotel has retained its place as a beloved landmark in the community.

Drop in and enjoy the beloved “Termo”.