Mitchell Art Deco Flats

Statement of Significance

Mitchell Flats, 6 Money Street, a two and three storey building of residential units has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:
the place is a fine example of the Inter-War Functionalist style of architecture;
the place has landmark qualities and contributes significantly to the streetscape and the community's sense of place;
the place is a rare example of this style of housing in Bunbury dating from the 1930s;
the construction of the flats in the 1930s reflected a shift in housing accommodation in the central Bunbury area as some people sought cost effective accommodation close to their place of work.

Physical Description

Mitchell Flats, 6 Money Street, is a two and three storey building of residential units designed as a simple example of the Inter-War Functionalist style of architecture.The walls are painted brick and the roof hipped and clad with tiles.Windows are timber and aluminium. There is a curved, flat concrete porch to the north side of the building. Situated in an elevated position the building is dominant in the landscape. Simple brick chimneys are evident. There is a timber fence to the front boundary line.

History

Mitchell Flats were built in 1936 for Miss Amy Mitchell, the sister of Sir James Mitchell. The flats were built on an elevated position near the town centre where they were visible from many parts of the CBD.

The building was constructed by local contractor Hough and Son at a contract price of £2,340 and comprised three flats.

Flats, or apartments, became a popular form of accommodation in the interwar years. In the United States and some western European countries, they were built to provide cheap accommodation close to work places. They soon became a common and acceptable form of accommodation. In Britain, where the ideal was to own a home of one’s own, flats were seen as a necessary but undesirable solution to the housing problem as previously only the impoverished had lived in them. Australia shared similar views to Britain.

In the 1930s a new group in society emerged as occupiers of flats. They were middle class people, often single professional people or young married and working couples with limited means who found it convenient to live in the central city areas. Flats enabled these people to have a higher standard of living and more independence than they would have had otherwise. Many of the flats built in the interwar years were for these middle class people.

Amy Mitchell’s estate continued to own the flats until at least the early 1950s. In 1951, the flats were occupied by Robert Rose, Jack Clark and Edith Steere. Mrs Penther was the owner in the 1990s and her father was a previous owner.

Integrity/Authenticity

High degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability).
High degree of authenticity with much original fabric remaining.
(These statements based on street survey only).

Condition

Condition assessed as good (assessed from streetscape survey 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.