Noarlinga Chambers

Statement of Significance

The place has aesthetic interest due to its truncated corner which addresses the William/James Street intersection and the Inter-War Classical style detailing in the façade above the street awning. The place forms part of a cohesive group of buildings constructed between 1920-1925 in the William Street streetscape.
The place reflects a secondary development boom which occurred in the area in the 1920’s.
The place forms part of the vibrant William Street streetscape which together with the long term (over 50 years) occupation of the place by Merizzi Travel, contributes to the community’s sense of place.
The place is representative of an Inter-War Free Classical style commercial building incorporating retail tenancies with a strong street focus and public accessibility.

Physical Description

Noarlinga Chambers is a two-storey commercial building currently occupied by a bookshop and sushi restaurant. The building is located at the northeast corner of William and James Streets, with the façade treatment wrapping around the two elevations and truncated across the corner.
At ground level the building has glazed shopfronts with a recessed entrance to the northern unit (formerly the bookshop) along William Street and the principal entrance to the travel agency through the truncated corner. A doorway at the eastern end of the James Street elevation provides access to a stairwell leading to the upper floor. Above the overhanging street awning the building has a red brick façade divided into bays with pilasters and features contrasting beige render detailing in parallel bands around the window openings and along the top of the parapet which has rounded arch pediments. The corner bay is differentiated with a square profile parapet. The render detailing around the timber framed windows which are grouped in pairs adopts a classical theme with the overall composition representative of the Inter-War Free Classical style.
In 2010, works were undertaken for general repairs to the building and front façade. Works included the demolition of an existing toilet and construction of a new toilet facility to the rear of the building and replacement of the existing entry door with new timber framed doors.
In 2014, the construction of a five-seven storey boutique hotel called ‘Alex Hotel’ was undertaken on the adjacent National Bank (fmr) site and to the rear of the building.

History

During the 1890’s, the gold-rushes had a profound impact on the state’s economy. Commercial and residential development was rapid in all parts of the town and land became a sought after commodity. Hutt Street (renamed William Street in 1897/98) underwent massive changes during this period with Perth Town Lot Y34, being the land on Hutt Street between Francis and James streets, first subdivided in 1896. The northern portion of the block was divided into six portions. Most of the southern portion of Y34 was transferred to Claude Edward Crocker, and in 1917 was sub-divided into four lots. The southernmost lot was briefly owned by Walter Padbury but was transferred to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in 1924.
‘Noarlinga Chambers’ was constructed c. 1923 following the issue of a building licence for the construction of shops and offices for William Padbury. The building does not appear to have constructed as shown on the building licence plans which have additional shops extending to the east of the current structure along James Street.

Integrity/Authenticity

High level of integrity.
High level of authenticity; largely as originally constructed; recent conservation to facade.

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.