Shops

Statement of Significance

The place is of historic and aesthetic significance as an example of a commercial building constructed during the Inter-War period.
It represents the period of affluence and optimism following the end of World War I and forms an important component of the Barrack Street streetscape which includes a high proportion of buildings dating from the late nineteenth and early twentieth century.

Physical Description

Two storey commercial building with two shopfronts. Renewed detail to parapet, moulded cornice and pilasters.
Loss of detail surrounding one pair of the windows, shopfronts retail original detail including re-entrant doors. Awning not original.

History

Barrack Street was so named because it is located adjacent to the parade ground and barracks set aside for the original planning of Perth for offices and soldiers. This area extended from St. Georges Terrace to Hay Street and from Barrack Street to Pier Street. The barrack ground formed the buffer in the original plan for Perth between the western commercial area and the eastern administrative part of town. The area became the site for various government buildings including the Town Hall in 1867. Barrack Street was subdivided in the 1890s.
A number of lots with narrow frontages were created but a number of investors bought adjacent lots to develop larger buildings.
The location at 125-127 Barrack Street was originally No. 159-161. Numbering changed in 1908. Numerous businesses have occupied the multiple outlets within the building over the course of its history. It is difficult to determine the date of construction without deeper research, as there have been shops in this location since before 1895. It was typical in the late 1890s economic boom for buildings to be demolished and rebuilt, and also refurbished with a modern style in the Inter-War years. The 1920s in Perth was characterised by economic prosperity and consolidation. There was continued commercial development including the construction or arcades, hotels and commercial buildings.
The building presents as a two-storey commercial building comprising two shop fronts. The upper level has simple detail to the parapet. One pair of the upper floor sash windows is extant; the other pair is not original. The shop fronts are new and the pressed metal lining to awning is probably not original.

Integrity/Authenticity

Low integrity.
Medium authenticity. Largely as originally constructed with some loss of detail.

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.