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Statement of Significance

The place has historic significance as it reflects economic changes in Western Australia in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries; and cultural and social change and diversity in the twentieth century, particularly as the home for successive waves of migrants. The place has aesthetic significance as a Federation Free Classical building contributing to the visual qualities of the moderately intact streetscape. The place has historic significance as it represents a continuity of commercial use and reflects a multiplicity of uses which shaped the character and present diversity of the area. The place contributes to the community's sense of place as an integral component of the Northbridge district.

Physical Description

Single-storey rendered brick and iron row of shop buildings. Roof concealed behind plain rendered parapet with central, decorative face brick and stucco pediment with 'Scolaro' building painted onto the frieze. The building has a truncated corner and awning. The row comprises four shops, one with its original re-entrant shopfront intact, the remainder with non-original metal-framed doors, including bi-folds and double doors. The cantilevered awning has a pressed metal soffit. A neon sign is located behind the parapet above the corner entry to the northernmost tenancy. Two tenancies were vacant at time of preparation of this report.

History

The Northbridge area was a series of lakes and sandy swamps prior to colonisation. This area was used for market gardens from the 1830s. c.1845 William Street extended north from Wellington Street to Ellen Street (now Newcastle Street) and was named Hutt Street. Although aligned with William Street to the south, passage was not possible through Gooloogoolup (Lake Kingsford) to Hutt Street at the time. In 1873 the lakes were drained and in the late 1870s work began on the Fremantle to Guildford railway line with the Perth railway station constructed on the drained site of Lake Kingsford. In the late 1880s Hutt Street was on the periphery of the town with few buildings. The gold rushes of the 1890s had a profound effect on the state's economy and Hutt Street was one of the many streets of Perth that was heavily developed as a result. In 1897/8 Hutt Street was renamed William Street and by the turn of the century William Street south of Aberdeen Street was a busy commercial district. The construction of the Horseshoe Bridge in 1903 had a major impact on the role of William Street as an arterial road. A mixture of commercial, cultural and 'immoral' activities formed William Street's character. The present diverse social, cultural and commercial mix is a continuation of the character established around the turn of the century. From c. 1900 the building was occupied by T. Walton Jones, stationer and draper. Early PWD drawings show the building as consisting of four separate brick buildings with associated rear components. Evidence suggests that in the 1930s and 1940s an illegal gambling den was operating in several of the residential tenancies, and charges were laid against several people. Since 1925, the tenancies have been used as a greengrocer, ironmonger, tobacconist, butcher, hair dresser, and a dentist. The pediment features ‘Scolaro Building’ in lettering. The Metropolitan Water Supply Survey plan (1950) shows Nos. 271 and 273 as narrow single room shopfronts, and No. 277 a large building, with No. 281 the corner tenancy with a cellar (now No. 57 Aberdeen Street). A 1966 photograph shows four tenancies, one with two entries (corner and re-entrant), two with re-entrant doorways, and one with an entry flush with the front wall. The place has associations with Joe Pisano, who operated two cafes in different tenancies, an early Italian restauranteur in Northbridge. At 2014 tenants were WA Chinese Books and News at 273 William Street and Golden King BBQ at 275 William Street, the central tenancies. At 2022, tenants are Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture; WA’s Chinese Videos, Books and News; and Ming’s BBQ House. The corner tenancy is a café, La Cholita. The pressed tin awning may be original.

Integrity/Authenticity

High level of integrity. High level of authenticity.

Condition

Fair

Uses

Creation Date

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