[1] The Criterion Hotel is one of only two three storeyed brick buildings in Maryborough, erected in two stages from 1878 to 1883 for the owner Neil Blue, to a design of local architect, James Robertson.

[1] Blue commissioned a local architect, James Robertson, to design a replacement for the Melbourne Hotel, and tenders were called for this project on 30 November 1878.

[1] The building has experienced many changes including the replacement of a fine cast iron balustrade with a course timber cross braced alternative and the infilling of sections of the ground floor verandah space.

A hipped corrugated iron roof is concealed by a parapet featuring a linked-circular balustrade, and centrally located moulded pediment.

The verandahs have simple recently constructed timber posts and cross-braced balustrading,[1] The ground floor openings have been substantially altered with the addition of the tiled and rendered brick infill work, though some survive intact.

Half glazed french doors with operable transom windows give access to the verandah from the upper floors.

The stair, which has turned newels and square balusters, is naturally lit by a multi-paned arched window, at the first half landing.

The Criterion Hotel is important in demonstrating the pattern of growth in Maryborough, particularly the evolution of the Wharf Street dock area.

The Criterion Hotel is an important element of the Wharf Street streetscape, which is an intact area crucial to the understanding of the development of the port city of Maryborough.