Local Government
Bunbury
Region
South West
There no heritage location found in the Google fusion table.
Location
13 Prinsep St Bunbury
Location Details
Other Name(s)
Civic Centre
Civic Hall (fmr)
Construction Date
Constructed from 1898 to 1939
Demolition Year
2005Statutory Heritage Listings
| Type | Status | Date | Documents | More information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHP - Does not warrant assessment | Current | 25 Jun 2004 |
Other Heritage Listings and Surveys
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | More information | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Description | ||||
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 31 Jul 1996 | Historic Site |
Historic Site |
|
Statement of Significance
DEMOLISHED
An example of the work of prominent Bunbury architect, F.W. Steere. The building underwent an Art Deco renovation during 1939 which contributed substantially to the streetscape. The Rechabite Hall was associated with civic and community activities over many years and was closely linked with other Council buildings in the vicinity.
Physical Description
DEMOLISHED
History
Rechabite Hall was built in 1898 for the Rechabite Lodge Trustees on land that had been used for military barracks in the 1840s.
The Rechabite Lodge Trustees began pursuing the title deeds to Lot 344 Prinsep Street and a loan to build the hall from April 1896. However, the Hall was not built until 1898 and was thought to have been one of the first commissions in Bunbury for architect F. W. Steere.
Steere arrived in Western Australia in 1897 and soon after moved to Bunbury and began an architectural practice. He was also responsible for the design of the nearby Municipal Council Chambers and a number of commercial and residential premises in Bunbury.
The building had many uses over the years including a lodge hall, dance hall, civic hall, newspaper printing office, art gallery, Municipal lending library and Council offices.
In April 1907, the Bunbury Butter Co. Ltd held first meeting in Rechabite Hall where the decision was made to form a butter and jam factory. The company was registered on 9 January 1908 after encouragement by Sir James Mitchell, then Minister for Lands.
In 1939 Hough & Son renovated the building and added an Art Deco façade for the South West Printing and Publishing Co at a cost of £2,600.
In the early 2000s part of the eastern section of the hall operated as a soup kitchen for the In Lunch Town Centre while the western portion had been refurbished into offices for the use of City Life, which was part of the City of Bunbury.
The hall was demolished in 2005 to make way for the new City of Bunbury Civic and Administrative Centre.
Integrity/Authenticity
DEMOLISHED
Condition
DEMOLISHED
State Heritage Office library entries
| Library Id | Title | Medium | Year Of Publication |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7552 | Images CD No. 39 : Bunbury Civic Administration Building & Civic Hall. | C D Rom | 2004 |
| 8442 | Ciy of Bunbury Civic Hall Prinsep Street, Bunbury, Western Australia. | Archival Record | 2004 |
| 7472 | City of Bunbury Civic Hall (Fmr Rechabite Hall), Prinsep Street, Bunbury, Western Australia : heritage assessment. | Heritage Study {Other} | 2003 |
Place Type
Individual Building or Group
Uses
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Original Use | SOCIAL\RECREATIONAL | Other Community Hall\Centre |
| Present Use | GOVERNMENTAL | Office or Administration Bldg |
Architectural Styles
| Style |
|---|
| Inter-War Art Deco |
Construction Materials
| Type | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Roof | ASBESTOS | Fibrous Cement, corrugated |
| Wall | BRICK | Rendered Brick |
| Roof | METAL | Corrugated Iron |
| Wall | BRICK | Painted Brick |
Historic Themes
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES | Community services & utilities |
| OCCUPATIONS | Commercial & service industries |
| SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES | Law & order |
Creation Date
13 May 1997Publish place record online (inHerit):
ApprovedLast Update
31 Dec 2016Disclaimer
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.