Commercial premises, 87 Rokeby Road

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 and contributes to the heritage character of the streetscape.

Physical Description

87 Rokeby Road is a two-storey rendered brick commercial building, designed in the Federation Free-Classical style.
The parapet is of a simple design, featuring piers and cornice mouldings. Based on other contemporary examples, it is possible that this was originally enlivened by stucco elements such as a central pediment and/or decorative elements on each of the piers.
There is a two-storey verandah across the front of the premises. This has been designed as a conjectural reconstruction and does not match the historical evidence provided by a view of part of the verandah in a 1955 photograph of Rokeby Road. An awning attached to the verandah extends out to the edge of the footpath, creating an undercover alfresco area.
Replacement French doors occupy original openings onto the balcony. The walls (which may have been designed with a combination of face brick and rendered detailing) have been fully rendered.
The ground floor shopfronts have been reconstructed.

History

In the Post Office Directory of 1904, only 4 premises were identified on the western side of Rokeby Road, between Hay Street and Barker Road. This block experienced rapid development over the next few years, with the number of shops increasing to 9 by 1905; 13 by 1906 and 15 by 1907. This was consistent with a broader trend for the commercial centre of Subiaco at that time, with a report in November 1905 noting that Rokeby Road had developed the aspect of a popular business thoroughfare.
Lot 27, DP 1489 was shown as vacant on a plan of the street, dated c.1904, but the readily available evidence suggests that it was first developed at around that time.
Over time, some of the occupants of the property included:
87 Rokeby Road
 1905: Arthur William Thomson, billiards saloon (Subiaco Billiards Saloon)
 1910: Percival (Percy) Stuart Ballans, billiards saloon & tobacconist (Subiaco Billiards Saloon)
 1915 & 1920: Robert Smith, billiards saloon & tobacconist (Subiaco Billiards Saloon)
 1925, 1930, 1935: Robert Smith, tobacconist
 1940 & 1945: Robert Smith, bookseller
 1945 & 1949: not listed in the Post office Directory
 c.1972-2018: The Witch’s Cauldron, restaurant (occupying 87-89 Rokeby Road)
 2022: restaurant (occupying 87-89 Rokeby Road)
87a Rokeby Road
87a was identified as a separate shop after the transfer of the billiards salon licence from 87 to 86 Rokeby Road.
 1925: Mrs Beatrice Britten, fruiterer & greengrocer
 1930: Joseph (‘Joe’) Shepherd, tailor
 1935: listed as vacant in the Post office Directory
 1940, 1945 & 1949: “Lynette”, hairdresser
89 Rokeby Road
 1905: John Arnott Maddison, tailor
 1910: Frederick William Corney, estate agent
 1915: J Black, oyster saloon
 1920: Mrs M Drayton, confectioner
 1925: Misses Mary & May Cunningham, confectioners
 1930: Miss Mary Cunningham, confectioner
 1935 & 1940: Abraham Lore, mixed business
 1945: Steve Nesheff, restaurant
 1949: Sidney Edmond Perris, restaurant (Subiaco Dining Room)

 c.1972-2018: The Witch’s Cauldron, restaurant (occupying 87-89 Rokeby Road)
 2022: restaurant (occupying 87-89 Rokeby Road)
The property was advertised for sale in late 1937:
VALUABLE SHOP PROPERTY, NOS. 87/89 ROKEBY RD., SUBIACO (opp. Hotel). ROBERTSON BROS. LTD. have been instructed by the West Australian Trustee, Executor and Agency Co., Ltd. as Executor of the Will of the late Walter John Kensitt, to SELL as above:-
Lots 27 and 46 of Perth Sub. Lot 203 having a frontage of 33ft. to Rokeby-road and 33ft. to Rowland-street by a through depth of 198ft. On the Rokeby-road frontage is erected a large TWO-STOREY BRICK BUILDING containing 3 shops, 2 of which each have living accommodation of 4 rooms, kitchen, bathroom, washhouse and balcony the third being a lock-up shop. On the Rowland-street frontage is erected a cottage constructed partly of brick and partly W.B., containing 3 large rooms, kitchen, bathroom and washhouse. The properties are connected to the sewerage system and have gas and electric light installed. The rentals are £235 per annum. This property occupies one of the best business sites in Subiaco close to the corner of Hay-street, opposite the hotel.
Note: Walter John Kensitt (c.1858-1934), was an English cabinet maker, who had settled in WA by 1896. Over time he was variously described as a contractor, builder or cabinetmaker. In the Electoral Rolls of 1910, he was listed as a ‘contractor’ of 103 Rokeby Road, Subiaco. Further research into the ownership of the site in c.1904 would help to determine if he may have been responsible for the construction of 87-89 Rokeby Road in c.1904.

Integrity/Authenticity

Extensive alterations have been undertaken and the authenticity of the place is medium to low to the upper levels, and low to the ground floor shopfronts and the balcony/verandah.
The integrated, under-cover alfresco area at the front of the property is intrusive.

Condition

Good

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.