Commercial

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. It is a typical example of an early commercial building which contributes to the integrity of the commercial streetscape.

Physical Description

103 Rokeby Road is a two-storey, rendered brick building in the Federation Free Classical style, which was designed with two shops, with associated residences at the first floor. It is now occupied as a single shop at ground level with office space to the first floor.
The parapet is divided into four sections with decorative mouldings and piers with vermiculated panels. A 1914 photograph confirms that this was originally enlivened by tall stucco urns (or similar) on top of each pier.
At first floor level, four French doors with fixed highlights lead out onto a reconstructed balcony, which is framed by a filigree banister, frieze and brackets, and square timber posts.
At ground floor level the former pair of shopfronts have been reconstructed with a single entry to the southern half of the frontage.
There are five contemporary shops at the rear, along Forrest Walk.

History

An analysis of entries in the Post Office Directories suggest that this may have been the same building that was occupied by J Morgan, storekeeper and Charles McPhee, storekeeper, in c.1901-1902 and by Harry Morgan, fruiterer, and O’Brien & Morrison, storekeepers in c.1903 (and therefore have been the first permanent building constructed between Barker Road and the present day Forrest Place). A substantial pair of shops with a verandah over the footpath were certainly shown on a plan of the street dated c.1904.
Over time, some of the occupants of the property have included:
103 Rokeby Road
 1905: George Edward Armstrong, chemist
 1910 & 1915: Richard Durack, storekeeper (General Grocery Stores) (occupying 103-105 Rokeby Road)
 1920: Claude Harry Hales, newsagent
 1925: Jessie Agnes Marshall & Herbert Arthur Marshall, newsagents
 1930: Mrs Eunice Compton, newsagent
 1935: T M Preston, newsagent
 1940 & 1945: Mrs Queenie Merrit, newsagent
 1946-c.1964: Dooke’s Drycleaners (occupying 103-105 Rokeby Road)
 1964-present: Jacksons Drawings Supplies (103-105 Rokeby Road)
105 Rokeby Road
 1905: M Mansfield, storekeeper
 1910 & 1915: Richard Durack, storekeeper (General Grocery Stores) (occupying 91-93 Rokeby Road)
 1920: John Coppin, storekeeper (General Grocery Stores)
 1925: Herbert Fred Chawner, grocer
 1930: Colin Campbell Russell Roper, grocer
 1935: Albert Young Hemingway, fruiterer
 1940: Dooke’s Drycleaners
 1946-c.1964: Dooke’s Drycleaners (occupying 103-105 Rokeby Road)
 1964-present: Jacksons Drawings Supplies (103-105 Rokeby Road)
In 1941 the property was offered for sale as part of the deceased estate Albert Mews, customs officer:
1. Lot 23 on plan 1375.
FRONTAGE 34ft. 8in. Depth. 99ft. IMPROVEMENTS Include PR. BRICK SHOPS and TWO-STOREY DWELLINGS, KNOWN AS 103 and 105 ROKEBY-RD., SUBIACO, each having large shop, 5 rooms, kitchen, bathroom, pantry, balcony, laundry (c. and t.). sewered, e.l. and gas connected, Let at £3/5/6 p.w.
In 1946-7 (after being owned for a few years by Frederick and Jane Bull), lot 23 was bought by Dookes Pty Ltd, and their dry cleaning business expanded to occupy the whole building, together with single storey industrial buildings which were erected at the rear (lot 10) to house the firm’s plant and equipment. Jacksons Drawing Supplies commenced trading here in 1964. In 2007, the rear industrial buildings were demolished and five new shops erected in their place.
The current Rokeby Road verandah was constructed at this time, to a design by Philip Griffiths Architects. This closely interprets (but does not directly reconstruct) the original raked roofed balcony with cast iron balustrade, as seen in a 1914 photograph of Rokeby Road).

Integrity/Authenticity

The first floor façade retains a medium-high level of authenticity. The shopfront has a low level of authenticity. The verandah has been reconstructed and has no intrinsic heritage value.
The 2007 additions facing Forrest Walk are of low authenticity within the context of this report.

Condition

The main facades appear to be generally in good condition commensurate with the age of the building (based on streetscape inspection only).

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.