House (fmr)

Statement of Significance

The place is an example of a Federation Queen Anne residence dating from around the turn of the century.
Its change of use into apartments demonstrates the demand for accommodation close to the city from the 1920s.
The building is a representative example of a residential property in West Perth that has undergone a change of use to commercial/professional offices with the changing character and growth of the City.
The place is significant for its contribution to the streetscape.

Physical Description

Painted brick and iron formerly residential building which is single storey at the front but has a two-storey undercroft section to the rear. Hipped roof with a bullnosed verandah to the front which has lost original detail. The front of the house features a facetted bay with a prominent half-timbered gable with pebble dash finish and eaves brackets. The front door is not original and replaces a former window. Windows are full height double hung sashes.
Interior contains considerable original fabric. Floor plan is generally intact. One original room has been converted to toilets. Generally original ceilings, ceiling roses, architraves, doors, skirtings etc. Rear stair is original.
Not part of an intact streetscape.

History

West Perth developed as suburban residential area in the late 1890s. From its inception it had the characteristics of a quality neighbourhood. The West Perth end of Hay Street was predominately prestigious homes, taking advantage of Hay Street’s proximity to the city and King’s Park (then known as Perth Park). The elevated location provided healthy site drainage as well as cooling breezes and views over the city and hills. The area had social status already associated with addresses in nearby Mount Street and access to the city's piped water system. The homes built in West Perth from the early 1900s included prestigious mansions built in prominent locations and smaller working class cottages in the narrower back streets and towards the northern end of the area adjacent to the railway. In the 1920s and 1930s, many property owners in West Perth were taking advantage of the location and demand for housing by renting out rooms. If this was the case, private homes would be listed as lodging house, boarding house, flats or apartments. Sometimes large houses would actually be converted into flats or apartments.
The Post Office Directory first lists No. 1130 Hay Street in 1910, occupied by Mrs Catherine Mansfield. (It may have been built earlier but numbering in the street changed and it is difficult to trace. Rate books would confirm). Mrs Mansfield was still in the house in 1920. Like much of West Perth, the large house was later converted into apartments, in response to the demand for accommodation close to the city. It was operated by Mrs W. H. Beaver in 1930, and Thomas Murray in 1949. The Metropolitan Water Supply Survey plan (1953) shows a large house with a projecting faceted bay and a return verandah. There is a basement at the rear, and also a verandah along the rear of the house. Aerial imagery indicates the house remains unchanged in size, and from the street it retains its original fabric and appearance. At 2022 the house is used for the head office of a charitable organisation, Legacy.

Integrity/Authenticity

Low level of integrity.
High level of authenticity. Original form but has lost original detail to verandah.

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.