Within the City of Sydney local government area, the traditional owners are the Cadigal and Wangal bands of the Eora.

Samuel Terry, an ex-convict controlled 19,000 acres of pastoral land at the southern end of the city in the area now known as Surry Hills.

The Crown Hotel is located on the corner of Elizabeth and Goulburn streets, just outside the area of Donaldson's Farm and on land originally known as Sheriff's Garden.

The land appears to have been resumed by the Municipal Council of Sydney in 1910 and the hotel was leased to John Rundle in 1921.

The building features rendered detailing and Dutch gables typical of the style, with ceramic wall tiling below its awning.

The building has significance as part of the network of small purpose built hotels providing a social / recreational venue and budget accommodation located within a short distance from Central station and reflects the social character of the area during the early years of the 20th century.