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Statement of Significance

The place has historical significance as a purpose-built showroom for the British General Electric Company in 1936.
It has aesthetic significance as an Inter-War Functionalist style building designed by architects Hobbs, Forbes and partners.
The place is a significant component of the Murray Street West streetscape.

Physical Description

Single storey commercial building with elements of Inter-War functionalist styling to the parapet wall and facade generally. Entrance altered, former windows blocked. Words Magnet House on facade.
Extensively altered from original.
Part of substantially intact Murray Street west streetscape.

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. Up to 1935 this site seems to have been vacant. This part of Murray Street was dominated by car dealerships and associated service industries from the 1910s, which took over from carriage services and stabling/livery business. From c. 1915 to c. 1925 the site was adjacent to Robert Cockburn, motor builder, and the site may have been used as a work yard or car space for that business. In 1930, there was a battery service station at No. 381-385, and Bolton and Sons, motor body works at No. 397. In 1930, the service station was still at No. 381-385, and the motor garage was Croasdale’s. In 1936 a new business was listed in the directory, located between them: the British General Electric Co, electrical engineers (Nos. 397-389). The following year the business was renumbered 393 Murray Street. The new building especially for British General Electric Company was designed by architects Hobbs, Forbes and partners, and was opened by the Lieutenant-Governor Sir James Mitchell on 14 September 1936.
A photo held at the State Library of WA shows a view of British General Electric Co. Pty Ltd still in Magnet House in 1956. Electrical appliances are visible in the shop window, including lighting, a refrigerator and kettle. The photo shows that the parapet had a moulded feature with neon lights reading ‘BGE’ that projected at right angles to the pediment, and that the ground floor shop front was glazed from about 1ft above ground level, with a central re-entrant door.
A photo held at the State Library of WA dated 1973 shows that the building was then the Peppermint Cloud Night Club. It had a masonry front wall and arched opening which has since been removed. The place has since been the Globe Night Club, and in 2022 is Magnet House night club. The ground level entry is modified.
The parapet features simple horizontal functionalist motifs.

Integrity/Authenticity

Low level of integrity.
Medium level of authenticity with some alterations to street level façade.

Condition

Good - Very 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.