Moir Warehouse (fmr)

Statement of Significance

The place is significant as it is associated with the development of Albany, formerly an important port and commercial centre for Western Australia, and also with the pioneering Moir family, who had extensive pastoral and commercial enterprises in the Albany region.

The style and form of the building contributes to the surrounding streetscape and the building is a good representative example of the Victorian Italianate style in commercial building.

Physical Description

Royal George Liquor Store is located on the eastern edge of the Frederick Street commercial area. The house is located in the southern side of Frederick Street and the block slopes steeply away to the south. This has led to the development of a building which presents as a single storey structure to Frederick Street, but is in fact two storeys when viewed from the rear. The building is built up to the property line at the front and at the rear is a large, bitumen parking area.

The masonry building is probably constructed from rendered stone, as the ground floor (or cellar) at the rear of the building has not been rendered although it has rendered quoins to corners, window and door openings. The front façade features a rendered parapet that conceals a hipped roof clad with corrugated galvanised iron. The simple parapet is punctuated by rendered, upright columns with moulded detailing towards the top, while the central area of the parapet features a curved section. A bullnose verandah has been added to the front of the building and is supported on timber posts. Rendered chimneys feature mouldings that echo the treatment of the columns on the parapet. The front façade has been elaborately treated with rendered quoins to the corners, door and window openings. The lintels on the doors and windows are rounded. The façade is symmetrical with three wide sash windows (aluminium frames) and two double doors (four panel, timber) spread alternately across the width of the building.

The rear of the building displays its original use as a warehouse where the cellar area has a double door at the southern end. A modern staircase (timber treads with a steel pipe handrail) leads up to the ground floor doorway at the northern end. There are no openings in the ground floor section of the façade.

Stylistically the building displays elements of the Victorian Italianate style.

History

The building was originally constructed as a warehouse and granary for John Moir, a local Albany merchant, in c1885. It remained vacant for many years until it was restored in the 1980s for use as a liquor store.

The Moir family were influential pastoralists and merchants in the Great Southern District, related to the influential Cheyne family.

Integrity/Authenticity

The building appears to have retained a moderate degree of integrity and authenticity.

Condition

The building appears to be in good condition.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.