Commercial

Parent Place or Precinct

26003 Rokeby Road & Hay St Conservation Area

Statement of Significance

The place represents the historic development of Rokeby Road as a commercial street from the 1890s and early 1900s. It is a visually imposing commercial building in the Federation Free Classical style with some intact shop fronts and decorative pediment.

Physical Description

Tighe’s Buildings is two-storey brick building in the Federation Free Classical style, which addresses the street corner on Rokeby and Barker Road. It was originally designed with three shops with associated residences at the first floor level.
Historical photographs, including a c.1910 postcard, confirm that a key feature of the original design was a verandah/balcony, which extended along the Rokeby Road frontage and returned partway along the Barker Road frontage. This appears to have had a shallow raked roof; cast iron balustrade; turned timber posts; deep, arched and battened timber brackets to the first floor; and small curved timber brackets to the ground floor level. The documentary and physical evidence also indicates that the walls were originally face-brick with contrasting stucco detailing (now fully painted).
The other major feature of the main facades was the prominent parapet detailing, which remains largely intact. At the splayed corner this is elevated with a triangular pediment capped by a stucco acroteria. This, in turn, sits above a framed panel which bears the words ‘Tighe’s Buildings 1905’ in bas relief. To either side of the corner the parapet features a closed balustrade with bas relief chain motifs located between the panelled and capped piers. Below this, and continuing across the full length of the main facades, there is a deep moulded cornice. On the Barker Road façade, the parapet continues for a short distance only and then curves down to run flush with the eaves. Missing elements of the parapet include tall stucco urns (or similar), which were mounted on each of the piers, and a chimney along the Barker Road frontage.
At first floor level there are three panelled doors with highlights, and 5 full-height double hung windows to Rokeby Road, with a 6th full-height window to the spayed corner. These originally opened onto the balcony and are now secured by simple metal balustrades.
The shopfronts have all been replaced with contemporary shopfronts in aluminium frames. Documentary evidence of at least one of the earlier shopfronts is provided by a photograph of 133 Rokeby Road (The Ideal Tearooms) c.1914.
The current suspended awnings along the ground floor step down to reflect the slope of Rokeby Road

History

Tighe’s Building, 131-135 Rokeby Road, was constructed during 1905 and in November/December of that year Michael Tighe applied for the relocation of a Gallon Licence from his former grocery store to these newly built premises.
At the time of his death, it was reported that Michael Tighe:
… was a native of County Mayo, Ireland. He arrived in Australia 27 years ago, settling in Melbourne, where he entered into the contracting business, which he carried on for ten years in conjunction with Mr James Tighe, now of Kellerberrin. In 1897 he came to W.A., and settled in Subiaco, where he resided up to the time of his death.
In the Post Office Directories, he was identified as a grocer of Rokeby Road from 1898, and in a successful application for a Gallon Licence in September 1901 he advised that his wife managed the business, while he followed the occupation of a contractor. An analysis of entries in the Post Office Directories suggests that the family’s shop was located at (or in the immediate vicinity of) 153-155 Rokeby Road in c.1901-1905 and at 161 Rokeby Road in 1906. During this period, it was known as the ‘Cheap Cash Grocer’.
The two storey premises at 131-135 Rokeby Road were designed with three shops with attached residences. Over time, some of the occupants of the property included:
131 Rokeby Road
 1906 & 1910: Michael Tighe, grocer
 1915: Maria Tighe, grocer & wine & spirits merchant
 1920, 1925, 1930, 1935, 1940: Benjamin Armstrong, grocer & wine & spirits merchant (Tighe’s Supply Stores)
 1945: Mrs Mollie O’Dea, grocer (Subiaco Supply Stores)
Online family trees indicate that Mollie O’Dea (nee Tighe) (c.1897-?) was the daughter of the original owners of this building, Michael and Maria Tighe.
 1950: Subiaco Supply Stores
The Subiaco Supply Stores continued to operate under various proprietors, including Donald Harvey Solin (c.1950) and Maurice Blayney Murphy (1951).
 2012: Sports Fever
 2022: Decjuba
133 Rokeby Road
 1910: Not listed as separate premises in the Post Office Directory
 1915: Mrs Martha Ellen Nealer, Ideal Tea Rooms
 1920: William Tindal, confectioner
 1925: George Walter Dryer, confectioner & caterer
 1930, 1935 & 1940: Francis Peter McGovern, dentist (Subiaco Dental Parlour)
 1945 & 1949: Lester Charlesworth, dentist
 2012: Aura, women’s wear
 2022: L J Hooker, real estate
135 Rokeby Road
 1910: Arthur John Lovely, chemist
 1915: Mary Ann Burrows, smallgoods
 1920: Edith Phoebe Probyn, confectioner & tearooms
 1925: Mrs Ipsa Mary Fogarty, confectioner & tearooms
 1930: Mrs C Smith, mixed business
 1935: Mrs V McRae, mixed business
 1940: Mrs H Murray, mixed business
 1945 & 1949: Mrs Miriam Isabel Goode, refreshment rooms
 2012: Dimano
 2022: Elite Supps, supplements and gym apparel
Tighe’s Buildings continued to be owned by descendants of Michael and Maria Tighe until 1987.

Integrity/Authenticity

Overall, the place has retained a high level of authenticity to the parapet and first floor openings.
The painted finish to the brickwork, street awnings, and shopfronts have a low level of authenticity.

Condition

The main facade appears to be generally in good condition commensurate with the age of the building (based on streetscape inspection only).

Uses

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.