McDonald Building

Parent Place or Precinct

10903 Barrack Street Precinct

Statement of Significance

The place has historical significance as a two-storey commercial building dating from 1898.
It has aesthetic significance as a Federation Free style building that makes a positive contribution to the visual quality of the streetscape and is a landmark on the corner of Murray and Barrack Streets.
The place is a representative example of a commercial building constructed in Perth during the period of development and consolidation following the gold boom.

Physical Description

142-150 Murray Street - Two storey commercial building with decorative parapet and pediments. Facades characterised by articulated windows with arched openings, pilasters and extensive use of decorative stucco work. Building addresses the corner. Loss of original detail at street level. Awning not original.
114 Barrack Street -Two storey commercial building with large arched windows. Street facade distinguished by pilasters, tourelles and florid motifs. Shop front modified with modern shop fittings. Awning not original. Part of the adjacent McDonald Building.

History

Until the 1880s the town centre was characterised by the establishment of small cottages, shops and small businesses and was rural in character. The expansion of commerce following the discovery of gold in the 1890s put pressure on land in the centre of Perth with the result that many of the residential buildings located in the inner city were replaced with commercial buildings during this time, and the centre of Perth was substantially rebuilt. Murray Street was established along with St. Georges Terrace and Hay Street as one of the main streets of Perth from the time of colonisation in 1829 when the Perth Town Lots were surveyed and planned out.
The McDonald Building was built in 1898. The building contractor for the construction was Mr. R. E. Dixon, for Mr. J. E. McDonald. An article in the newspaper during the construction phase reported that a workplace accident had occurred when scaffolding collapsed and the plasterer, Thomas Baker, fell 30ft into the basement. He sustained a head injury, broken ribs and internal injuries.
A business in the basement opened in October 1898, the Spa Wine and Billiard Rooms, which had “two of Alcock’s best tables, and lighted throughout by Messrs. H. Evans and Co, of Perth, with electricity”. In the 1899 post office directory, the tenants of the new building were: Hang War, laundry; Jordan Henry, tailor; Tredrea Wine Café; and on the first floor: Mueller Botanic Society, J. E. McDonald; C. Vernon Harcourt, artist; Bolgers Club; Edmund Buzza, accountant; Benda Lucien, importer; John Dallen, com agent; Thomas Walker, teacher of elocution; and the Accountants’ and Clerks’ Association. In September 1900, an article in the newspaper reads: “Mr. McDonald is well-known in Perth where he owns considerable property. In 1895 he was associated with Mr. L. R. Menzie, when they discovered the goldfields town bearing the latter's name. Mr. McDonald came to Western Australia, about ten years ago, and he obtained an appointment as teacher in one of the Government schools. He soon gave up teaching, however, and with Mr. Menzie began prospecting on the Murchison. They took over the management of the Star of the East mine, and when that property was acquired by an English company, the pair returned to Perth to equip a prospecting party to explore the country to the north of Coolgardie. It was soon afterwards that they came across the now well-known Menzies district. After that Mr. McDonald continued the prospecting trip without Mr. Menzie, and later returned to Perth, where he resolved to settle. Three years ago Mr. McDonald erected the buildings at the corner of Barrack and Murray streets, which bear his name.”
Tragically, this article was in relation to reports that McDonald had disappeared from his Donnybrook property, feared drowned in the Preston River in September 1900. It was to be another three months before his body was found, and the report included a lengthy obituary of this life.
In c. 1910s-1920s the corner store was James Joseph Snigg, Clothier, known colloquially as ‘Snigg’s Corner.’ The State Library holds two photos from that era, showing the building as unpainted brick, with a wrap-around verandah with timber posts, and a cast iron frieze (025578PD; 108984PD).The Metropolitan Water Supply Survey plan (1943) shows Nos. 142-144 Murray Street are long, narrow spaces. There is a central entry and stairs to the upper floor, which is referred to as No. 146. There are two more shops at Nos. 148 and 150, which are square in plan. Around the corner on Barrack Street four more shops, Nos. 104-110, were not listed as part of the McDonald Building at first. In 1924, building approval was gained to undertake alterations to shopfronts on the corner of the building. This may have been when the parapet was continued around the corner to unite the corner tenancies into the 1898 building (more research required). By 1926, McDonald Chambers at 146 Murray Street referred to the upper floor tenants, and later the Barrack Street shops were called McDonald Building, 104 Barrack Street, all considered part of the one complex. At 2022 the McDonald Building comprises of a variety of ground floor shopfronts. The façade of decorative parapet and pediments wraps around the corner, distinguished by articulated windows with arched openings pilasters, tourelles and florid motifs, and extensive use of decorative stucco work.

Integrity/Authenticity

High level of integrity.
High level of authenticity. Has lost original detail at ground floor level but intact above.

Condition

Fair

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.