Homeric House

Statement of Significance

The place has historical significance as a purpose-built showroom and assembly warehouse for Adams Motors Ltd in 1923.
It has historical and aesthetic significance for the 1929 remodelling by architects Oldham, Boas and Ednie Brown.
The place has aesthetic significance as an Inter-War Functionalist style commercial building.
It makes a positive contribution to the Murray Street streetscape.
It is as a representative example of a warehouse/showroom that has undergone a change of use.

Physical Description

Three storey commercial building with alterations at ground and first floor levels. Decorative parapets featuring Art-Deco motifs.

History

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. 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. From c. 1910 this part of Murray street began to be dominated by car dealerships and associated service industries, which took over from carriage services and stabling/livery businesses. The 1920s in Perth was characterised by economic prosperity and expansion and, this was a period of consolidation with continued commercial development.
In 1923, the ‘Call’ mentioned that Adams Motors Limited were “installing the latest Bowser-kerosene petrol pump in their new premises in Murray Street” which indicates the year of construction. In 1924, the Sunday Times reported that customers were invited to visit the factory to see how trucks and cars were assembled there. In 1929 the building was remodelled by architects Oldham, Boas, and Ednie Brown. Works included an up-to-date showroom direct off the footpath as well as a separate direct entrance at the front for the spare parts department. A new cantilever verandah awning was added, with new windows, and cement work finished in Donnybrook stone. Adams Motors were in this location until 1937. The Metropolitan Water Supply Survey plan (1939) shows that there was an entrance to the rear of the building off Melbourne Street. In 1940, the building was Atkins store. In 1949 when post office directories ceased publication, the building was occupied by Lazarus and Co, wholesale tobacconist and fancy goods.
Photos held at the State Library of WA dated 1982 and 1988 shows that on each side of the building at the top were painted the words ‘Homeric House’, as well as lettering mounted to the front at ground/first floor level. In 1982 there was a small, suspended awning over the eastern entry doorway, and the original street level faced was intact, with six separate window openings. In the 1988 photo, the street front has been modified to three larger windows.
In 2022 part of the ground floor is a convenience store.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium level of integrity.
Low level of authenticity.

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.