Shops

Statement of Significance

The double storey retail premises at Nos. 489-491 Beaufort Street are a fine example of the Federation Italianate style within the Mount Lawley Centre with its strong street presence. The tenancy history of the place informs of the changing demography and multiculturalism of the area since the late 1890s.

Physical Description

The double storey shop building is a brick construction. The roof is concealed by an elaborate central stepped pedimented parapet. The centre is flanked by balustered parapets each section divided by pilasters decorated with decorative stucco vases. The upper floor windows are symmetrical with a vertical configuration with two central bachelor windows and double hang sashes. The face brick wall has a central horizontal rendered band. A cantilevered boxed canopy is in place across the frontage. The ground floor façade has been adapted under the awning. Zero setback in retail sector Shopfront, verandah and internal

History

The subdivision of Highgate Hill was developed by surveyor Charles Crossland in 1874, and named after his birthplace in London. In the 1890s, the area developed rapidly, assisted by the Catholic Church Mount Heart subdivision in Mary and Harold streets. In 1900, the site of No.s 489-491 was one of a number of vacant pieces of land in the section of Beaufort Street between Vincent adn Walcott streets. Those that were built on were occupied with shops and attached residences at the time. No. 489 Beufort Street was built circa 1902 and occupied by Mr H.J Breen. Mr Breen's occupation is not listed. In fact the only shop listed in the Wise's Post Office Directories is Mrs Elizabeth H. Gleadell's 'fancy repository' at No. 483. With the inclusion of Breen's establishment in 1902 there were still only five places occupied between these streets. Some commercial development must have taken places quickly around this time though as the following year (1903) there were nine but Mrs Gleadell's was still the only shop listed. Even so there were nine missing street numbers between Mrs Gleadell at No. 483 and Alfred Merrifield at No. 507 (the last establishment before Walcott Street), indicating that there were still a number of unoccupied blocks. In 1910, No. 489-491 Beaufort Street is recorded in the Post Office Directory as being occupied by confectioner, Mrs Amelia Farmer and newsagent, Edward G. Rome and amongst the other shops were a wine saloon, botmaker, cycle agent and butcher. In 1915 the confectioners shop at No. 489 was run by Albert A. Percy Cleaver and Arthur Cleaver, as the Cleaver Brothers, and No. 491 was a newsagency and post office run by William Scott. They were still there in 1920 and a William J. Cleaver was occupying the residence. In 1930 the newasgency was still running at No. 491, operated by J. R. Sunter, while electrician John Green ran his business from No. 489. By then the street block was fully occupied with retail and commercial premises including a butcher, confectioner, hairdresser & tobacconist, pastrycook, wine saloon, Commonwealth Savings Bank, greengrocer, draper and Jack Kailis' Royal Fish Shop at No 487. In 1938, the premises were a mixed business and a greengrocer and in 1949 Mrs R Murphy had a business there. The building as more recently been occupied by the Thanh Tan Vietnamese Restaurant & Bakery and Thanh Tan Flower Shop, reflecting the changing demography of the area and in 2007 by the Saigon Viet Restaurant.

Integrity/Authenticity

Moderate degree

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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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.