Rogerson Building

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 landmark on the intersection of Rokeby and Roberts Road and a visually imposing commercial building in the Federation Free Classical style with intact and restored shop fronts.

Physical Description

The Rogerson Buildings is a two-storey painted brick and render building with an iron roof, designed in the Inter-War Free Classical style. It was designed with six shops along Rokeby Road with entries to the hostel and function room at the corner.
The building was designed for its prominent location opposite the railway station and features a large raised parapet over the splayed corner (bearing the name Rogerson Buildings). The first floor façade along Rokeby Road façade is divided into eight bays by projecting rusticated pilasters, with a pair of double hung windows with rendered architraves to each bay. The rendered parapet features a mixture of deep curved pediments, baluster panels and a projecting entablature.
The northern (Roberts Road) façade has some similar detailing, but is much more restrained.
The row of traditional shopfronts feature recessed entries, glazed timber doors, tiled stalls and dado, large copper-framed display windows and stained glass highlights.
A historical photograph (1925) indicates that the brick panels were originally unpainted (with tuck-pointing to Rokeby Road and the corner splay). The awning appears to have been originally raked with a flat facing panel.

History

This site was developed with a large two storey commercial building (Rogerson Buildings) in c.1923, with the major part of the premises occupied by a residential hostel and privately owned function room from c.1925 until the early 1950s. Numerous newspaper articles referred to dances, wedding receptions, coming-of-age parties and other events held at the hostel during the 1920s-1930s. These indicate that the hall could accommodate at least 200 guests.
When the property was advertised for sale in 1929, it was described as follows:
Lots 1, 2, 3 and 4 of Perth Sub Lot 198, with about 160ft. frontage by depth of 132ft, for lots 2/4 to r.o.w. at rear leading to Railway-road. Lot 1 is an angular block. On the blocks is erected a large block of brick buildings, comprising Wembley Hostel and six shops with dwelling rooms. The Hostel occupies a large shop on corner also large dining hall, kitchen, servery and washhouse on the ground floor and large ballroom with ladies' and gent's dressing rooms and 24 bedrooms on the first floor. Rental £6 per week, Four of the shops are let at 35/ and the other two shops are at the moment unoccupied but the rooms at the rear are tenanted at 20/. This property has great potential value. It is right opposite the Subiaco Railway Station and a stone's throw from Hay-street. The whole railway passenger traffic pass the doors.
William Edward Naughton operated the Wembley Hostel in c.1925-1930, after which there were regular changes to the proprietor/manager of what was then known as the Bradman Hostel.
The attached row of 6 shops with attached residences was known as 3-13 Rokeby Road. These were occupied by a range of tenants during the 1920s and 1930s, but also had numerous periods when they were vacant. Only one of the shops (#5) had a long-term tenant. During World War II, the majority of the shops in this group were closed and some were used to accommodate families evacuated from Darwin after the Japanese bombing of 1942. Over time, some of the occupants of the shops/residences included:
3 Rokeby Road
 1925: Wilfred James Wishart, ham & beef store
 1930 & 1935: Connolly & Prosser, contractors
 1940, 1945 & 1949: Occupied as part of the adjacent hostel
5 Rokeby Road
 1925, 1930, 1935 & 1940: Hugo Schmidt, hairdresser & tobacconist
 1945 & 1949: Not listed in the Post Office Directories
7 Rokeby Road
 1925: Listed as vacant in the Post Office Directory
 1930: George Reginald Birchmore, tyre repairs (Reinforced Tyre Co)
 1935: Mrs Violet Schmidt (wife of Hugo Schmidt who had a hairdresser & tobacconist store at #5)
 1940: Listed as vacant in the Post Office Directory
 1945 & 1949: Not listed in the Post Office Directories
9 Rokeby Road
 1925: Susan Evelyn Flood, confectioner
 1930: Listed as vacant in the Post Office Directory
 1935: Sydney P Harrison (residential tenant)
 1940: David McEwan, upholsterer
 1945 & 1949: Not listed in the Post Office Directories
11 Rokeby Road
 1925: James Lindsay Arnold Flood, tent maker
 1930: Maud Eglin Newton, dressmaker
 1935: Thomas Fowler (residential tenant)
 1940: Listed as vacant in the Post Office Directory
 1945 & 1949: Not listed in the Post Office Directories
13 Rokeby Road
 1925: Listed as vacant in the Post Office Directory
 1930: Fred T Carter, fruiterer
 1935: Charles Jay (residential tenant)
 1940: Listed as vacant in the Post Office Directory
 1945 & 1949: Not listed in the Post Office Directories
The hostel continued to operate until the 1950s when the building was taken over by Ramsay’s Store, which traded in second-hand washing machines and electrical goods. One of the state’s first late night cafés, Bar Bazaar, operated on the corner throughout the 1980s and early 1990s.

Integrity/Authenticity

Overall, the place appears to have retained a high degree of authenticity, as viewed from the street.

Condition

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

Uses

Historic Themes

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.