Ballarat’s historic Reid’s Guesthouse has been restored to its former glory after extensive heritage works funded by a $1.2 million grant from the Andrews Government.

Representing Planning Minister Richard Wynne, the Labor Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison today marked the completion of works to the building, which adjoins Ballarat Railway Station.

The Labor Government provided a $700,000 Living Heritage Major building grant in 2017 restore the exterior of the building.

A further $500,000 was provided later the same year to restore the interior.

Reid’s Guesthouse is owned by Uniting Care and provided low cost accommodation to people in need.

Both stages of work were completed in December.

Ms Addison said she was thrilled an important part of Ballarat’s history has been preserved for future generations.

“I’m delighted at what this project has delivered for Ballarat. It has restored another prominent building in the important Lydiard Street South streetscape, and it has enabled the residents here to feel pride and a sense of ownership in their home,” Ms Addison said.

“In Ballarat we live amongst heritage and history every day and retaining our beautiful streets and buildings is so important,” she said.

“Reid’s Guesthouse is an example of the way that we live our history in Ballarat. Under its heritage exterior it has a significant and important purpose,” Ms Addison said.

Since its inception in 2016 the Living Heritage Program has provided close to $4 million for five projects in Ballarat which also includes $2 million for Her Majesty’s Theatre, $200,000 for Ballarat RAAF Base, $195,000 for Ballarat Town Hall and $340,000 for Ballarat Trades Hall.

Reid’s is a former gold rush coffee palace of the temperance movement. The guest house was built in 1886 by John Reid, a German immigrant who moved to Ballarat and opened a bakery to feed the gold prospectors.