20 February, 2013 1:13PM AEDT

The biggest balcony in Ballarat

One of Ballarat's oldest hotels - on the corner of Lydiard St North and Mair St - is being returned to its former glory, and not just physically.

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What was known locally as the Regent is now Jackson's & Co, which is the name of the original hotel built in 1861.

The premises have also had other names over the years, including the Royal George Hotel, the Federal Hotel and the Railway Hotel, and the veranda - which was a feature of the building from the late 1900s - is being rebuilt.

Brian Taylor owns the building and says the balcony will be completed in two weeks.

"I actually love heritage and Lydiard St is heritage-listed, and so there's no better way to tie in with the surroundings than by putting the original veranda back on."

Brian and his team have researched the original structure and replicated it - except for using new materials and structural supports to meet current building codes.

"From the original casts of wrought iron work we've used aluminium with steel inserts and extra bolts and beams to meet building requirements, but it looks and feels the same as the original."

The renovation of the entire hotel and reinstatement of the veranda hasn't been cheap.

"It cost quite a lot, we've spent a great deal but it's a long term strategy, we're here to stay and we've invested back into the community."

The project has received financial assistance from government for the rebuilding of part of the veranda.

"Heritage Victoria and the City of Ballarat have given us a heritage loan which we pay back over time."

The proprietors have also gained 200 square metres of balcony with the re-development.

"It's the biggest balcony in Ballarat and it's a great place to look up and down Lydiard or Mair streets from."

Brian says the reaction from the public to the veranda being rebuilt has been overwhelmingly favourable.

"We've been inundated with questions and we've done the history so it's great to share that with people."

Brian's team found a range of items during the course of the renovation including old letters, photos, corsets, and postcards, including one from an injured WWI soldier by the name of Lawless, who sent a picture of himself and his comrades in hospital to his sister who was working at the hotel.

"He was shot in the arm so the handwriting is rough as he had to use his other hand to write, and that's why we've named the function space the Lawless Room, after that man."

Through the process Brian has learnt that the benefits of restoring a heritage building far outweigh the significant costs involved.

"Everyone gets scared off when you talk about heritage because they think it costs a lot and there's a lot of work, but people notice how beautiful it is, talk about it and that's marketing in itself."

There are no plans for an official grand opening of the veranda because the space is already booked for functions.

"We've had so many enquiries about this veranda and function space that we mightn't have time or any spare dates."