Shop/Office

Statement of Significance

The place has interest as a modestly detailed Federation Free Classical style of commercial building.
The place reflects the expression and development of residential and commercial buildings on the city fringes during the rapid population increase of the 1890s gold boom and the early years of the twentieth century.
The place is associated with hotelier, William Schruth.
The place is representative as an example of a modest commercial building dating from the early twentieth century.

Physical Description

Pair of single storey shops with re-entrant doors. Roof concealed by parapet and pediment embellished with balls on stepped pedestals, shops fronts retain original form. Awning not original.

History

In the early years of the Swan River colony the area to the north of Perth (now known as Northbridge) was low lying and swampy and was therefore settled more slowly than the better land closer to the river. It was also further from the river port and the main means of transport. Northbridge is an inner suburban area, named because it is just north of Perth across the railway bridge. It was approved as a suburb name in 1982.

In 1854 some of the swampy land to the north of Perth was drained producing some fertile land for farming and later subdivision. The land was subdivided into allotments circa 1860. land in the area was taken up by discharged soldiers, artisans and small landholders. The area at this period was characterised by small cottages and businesses.

In 1881, the railway from Fremantle to Guildford was opened and became the main transport route. From that period commerce and trade tended to focus more fashionable with smaller commercial enterprises and manufacturing to the north. It was less fashionable to live north of the railway line, however the area was close to the city and during the 1890's and early 1900's was substantially redeveloped with further subdivision of lots and mixed residential and commercial development. A number of trade and community organisations had their origins in the area at this time.

Over the years the population of the area changed as people relocated to suburban areas of the city. As a result, Northbridge became the home for successive migrant communities. for example, communities including Greek, Italian, Chinese and more recently Vietnamese migrants have settled here as property remained relatively cheap and had the advantage of being close to the city. These communities have over the years given this area a distinctive character, generally recycling the existing buildings rather than redeveloping the area.

(Extracted from M. Pitt Morrison and J. White in C.T. Stannage, A New History of Western Australia; U.W.A. 1981 and Michael Bosworth, Thematic Historical framework, City of Perth Unpub. 1995).

The homes built in Perth the 1890's and early 1900's were generally larger and more elaborately detailed than the earlier simple cottages there replaced. Although influenced in their design by homes of Victoria in particular, due to the influx of migrants from the eastern states , houses in Perth tended to be constructed as single detached, or sometimes pairs of attached, houses, rather than the extensive rows of terrace houses found in eastern Australia. Houses were generally single storey brick with corrugated iron roofs . Some more prestigious homes had slate or tiled roofs. Stucco decoration was popular as was wrought iron lace and timber fretwork.

The building was erected in 1905 for Mr William Schruth, who was also the owner/proprietor of the Beaufort Arms Hotel on the corner of Beaufort and Newcastle Streets. In 1909, No. 237 was used as a store for wine and spirits, while No. 235 was used by J. W. Wing, cabinet maker. In 1935, Wing Ltd, cabinet maker, is listed for the building.

Integrity/Authenticity

High level of integrity.
Low to medium level of authenticity as one original shopfront remains, with an adjacent new development.

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

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