West Australian Rowing Club

Statement of Significance

The place is the only surviving building on the Perth Swan River foreshore from a period in the first hundred years of the colony when river activities were a focus for the business, recreational and social life of the city.
The place is the only remaining example of two storey piled timber boatshed architecture on the river and is representative of its building type and the turn of the century period.
The place provides an architectural and historic statement within the Barrack St Jetty and river foreshore developments.
The place has been in continuous use since its construction in 1905 as a rowing boatshed and club house providing recreational social facilities for its members and other sections of the Perth community.
The place houses the first established rowing club in Western Australia (established in 1868).The place is significant to the development and activities of the State’s rowing fraternity and for the association of the Club with prominent members of the community throughout its history.
The place is significant in contributing to the Perth community’s sense of place through social, cultural and recreational use of the site.

Physical Description

A two-storey building, originally with a simple rectangular plan with the only variation being the single storey lean-to that ran for the length of the west side of the building. By 1992 the function room that is on the upper level had been extended towards the west. The building was extended on both its east and west sides as part of works undertaken between 1994 and 1997.The west side of the building was also altered so that east and west faces of the building now match each other. The south side balcony that was missing in 1992 was reconstructed as part of the recent works. The entry bridge to the building has been extended in width to match the full width of the north face of the building. The building stands on circular concrete stumps. The original timber stumps are encased within the new concrete work. The upstairs function area has been reconfigured and has now been extended on both its east and west sides. Parts of the original walling were removed from within the room as part of the overall widening of the space. The alterations also included the installation of a new bar and toilet facilities.

History

The Western Australian Rowing Club (WARC) was established in 1868 as the first Rowing Club in the colony. Prior to the construction of the existing building in 1905, the club operated from a timber single storey boatshed at the foot of Barrack Street. The rowing clubs were a focus for not only recreational use by also for the entertainment and social activities of the residents of Perth at the turn of the century. The design of the new boatshed is attributed to Felix Whitwell who was said to be a club member and acted as honorary architect for the building. The two storey, timber framed/weatherboard building with a corrugated galvanised iron roof was built on timber piles over the river just east of Barrack Street. The new boatshed was built soon after the redevelopment of the old Barrack Street waterfront to form Barrack or Union Jack Square as it was known then. The new boatshed was financed with 10 pound debentures purchased by club members and when it was completed contributed to the collection of buildings along the foreshore described as the “little colony of club houses at the foot of Barrack Street.” The WARC has remained in its original context for the addition on the western side, of a section of upper floor ‘lean to’ accommodation over part of the original lower floor ‘lean to’.
The last 40 years saw the condition of the boatshed deteriorate, particularly the timber piles and external weatherboards. In the 1990s funds were raised jointly from a number of organisations, which ensured the boatshed returned to its original glory.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity - High level of integrity.
Authenticity - The fabric of the building appears to be in a good condition. The building underwent an extensive reconstruction, restoration and building program between 1994 and 1997 and since then appears to have benefited from a regular maintenance program. The south side (the river side) is set just above water level and is in a very poor condition.
In 2015, works to reconstruct and extend the existing boat deck and jetty were approved.

Condition

Good

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.