Donegal Building

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.
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

Two storey commercial building with decorative pediment. Embellished with classical pilasters and prominent arched cornice. Loss of original detail to ground floor level and to central window openings on first floor. Awning is not original.

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.
Post Office directories show that there were two businesses on this location from 1898 and allocated street Nos. 142 and 144. In 1902 they were George W. Lean, saw sharpener, and J. G. Sara, bulk store. Numbering changed to No. 138 and 142 in 1908. The Metropolitan Water Supply Survey plan (1943) shows a two-storey building with basement, and a series of brick or galvanised iron outbuildings behind. A photo held by the State Library of WA dated 1982 shows the building was occupied by Sam Rifici hair salon.
According to the Sam Rifici website, he established his first men’s hairdressing business in Lake Street, Northbridge in January 1946 and opened a second salon in Wembley in 1950. His first ladies' salon was established in Hay Street, Perth in 1958. In 1959, Sam opened another ladies' hairdressing salon in Murray Street, the largest salon in Perth. From his humble beginnings he went on to establish a network of 23 salons throughout the Perth metropolitan area, Kalgoorlie and Singapore.
At 2022 the building is occupied by professional offices on the first floor, and a café on the ground floor. It is a two-storey commercial building with a decorative pediment, embellished with classical pilasters and prominent arched cornice. The ground floor has no original detail or awnings, and the central window openings on the first floor are also not original.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium level of integrity.
Medium level of authenticity. Has lost original detail at ground floor level and to window openings on first floor.

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.