The King’s Head hotel in King William Street was designed by Thomas English and built in 1876 on the site of the King's Head Inn, which first existed in 1848.The principle elevations are built of Glen Osmond stone with cement dressings to the door and window openings.The plan included three private residences with frontages to King William Street and Sturt Street. In its past the hotel accommodated jurors locked up over night on important cases being tried at the nearby Courts.

http://www.samemory.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=1446&c=625

The hotel is now known as The Kings, and specializes in serving only South Australian produce.

The following excerpts are held in the Hotel. Advertisement from Frearson’s Weekly, 6 July 1878: KING’S HEAD HOTEL // KING WILLIAM STREET, SOUTH // J.A. ELLERY, Proprieter. // This Hotel possesses every modern improvement, being second to none in Adelaide for its central position, and the convenience and accommodation afforded. It is within one minute’s walk of the Glenelg Railway and Tramway Stations. // Visitors from the country and the adjoining colonies will find the Hotel conducted on the best principles. // Wines and Spirits imported direct – Wholesale and Retail. // Plunge and Shower Baths.

Exceprt from SA Register, 12 Jan 1876: The King’s Head Hotel in King William Street is now being entirely rebuilt for Mr Wm. Thomson to the design of the Hon. T. English. The design includes three private residences. When the whole building is completed the frontage to King William-street will be 86 feet and about 70 feet to Sturt-street. The hotel will contain on the basement plan an extensive cellar, to which there is convenient access. The ground-floor comprises a bar 17 feet 6 inches by 16 feet 6 inches, a parlour, dining room, side-entrance, hall, staircase, kitchen and pantry. The first floor is devoted to bedrooms and bathroom. The private residences will contain on the ground-floor a living-room, sitting-room, staircase, hall, kitchen, pantry and servant’s room. The first floor furnishes two large bedrooms, a bathroom and servant’s room, and the front room in each house has access to the balcony, which runs along the entire frontage. The principle elevations are built of Glen Osmond stone, with cement dressings to the door and window openings. The works are being carried out by Mr Charle’s Farr at a cost of about £3,500.

Newspaper excerpt, no reference given: KING’S HEAD HOTEL // King William-street // Adelaide. // Mr H. Barnes, // Late Landlord of the Wharf Hotel and other Hotels in Port Adelaide, also late Engineer of the steamers Royal Shepherd and Eleanor, begs to inform his numerous friends and the public generally, that he has taken the above first-class Hotel, and hopes by civity and attention to still merit a continuance of their favours. // Wines and Spirits of the berst quality always on hand. // This commodious Hotel is situated close to the Glenelg Railway Station.

Excerpt, no reference given: KING’S HEAD HOTEL, 353–359 King William Street, Map reference: South West Adelaide No 6 (SW6). // The King’s Head Hotel was first licensed in 1848 by T Shadgett; however, the present structure dates from 1876. The building is thoroughly representative of Victorian commercial structures erected in the boom period, with cantilevered balcony, chamfered corner, bluestone walling and stuccoed dressings. The hotel is an important and original part of the character of the city. ...// [There follows the above quotation from the SA Register.] ...// When it was completed the King’s Head was described in 1877 as ‘... a great improvement to the locality.’ // The building has since been extended at the rear, and combined with the two adjoining residences to the north. It has been recently refurbished, recapturing much of its original external appearance. The ground floor openings remain and the interior retains much of its original plan form.