Commercial Building

Author

City of Perth

Place Number

02145

Location

581-585 Wellington St Perth

Location Details

Cnr 79 King St Also part of Central Perth Precinct P15846

Other Name(s)

House of Morris
Produce Warehouse

Local Government

Perth

Region

Metropolitan

Construction Date

Constructed from 1903

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type Status Date Documents
Heritage List Adopted 20 Dec 1985

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type Status Date Documents
RHP - To be assessed Current

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type Status Date Grading/Management
Category
Local Heritage Survey Completed\Draft Category 2
Local Heritage Survey Adopted 28 Mar 2023 Category 2
Municipal Inventory Completed\Draft 13 Mar 2001 Category 2
Classified by the National Trust Classified 04 May 1981
Perth Draft Inventory 99-01 YES 31 Dec 1999

Statement of Significance

The place has aesthetic significance as a Federation Warehouse and contributes to the visual quality of the streetscape and the King Street precinct. It has historic significance as a 1904 commercial building constructed during the period of economic affluence and increased development that followed the gold boom.

Physical Description

Two storey warehouse building addressing the Wellington/King Street corner. The building has simple detailing with double hung sash windows at regular intervals. Early Georgian colonial influence contrasts with the more elaborate facades on King Street buildings. The building incorporates 79 King Street.

History

In 1890 Western Australia achieved responsible government. This, combined with the discovery of gold in the early 1890s, provided the catalyst for development in Perth. King Street was gazetted in 1845 and named after King William IV. Prior to the 1890s the area around King Street was characterised by workers' cottages with shops, coal yards, smithies and foundries located in the adjacent areas of Murray and Hay Street. In the mid 1890s some smaller businesses began to establish themselves in existing cottages and a number of larger enterprises erected substantial new offices and warehouses in the area. Earlier uses primarily served the local population, however this later development was more broadly based and was a direct response to the expansion of the city centre during the gold rush. The period from the late 1890s to early decades of the twentieth century was characterised by a vigorous public works and corresponding expansion of commerce and trade. During this period, the character of the area around King Street was established. In the 1990s, King Street underwent a substantial program of restoration and is now characterised by new uses including cafes, boutiques and professional offices. The two-storey warehouse and store was constructed for Pilmer and Co, (George Stuart Pilmer) produce merchants in c.1904.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium level of integrity. High level of authenticity as it is largely as originally constructed with detail intact.

Condition

Fair

References

Ref ID No Ref Name Ref Source Ref Date
1.9/581 Heritage Place File City of Perth
Aerial Photographs Landgate
Visual Assessment
R. Ferguson: King St Urban Design Study June 1980
Cons 4156/14 Metropolitan Water Supply Survey Plans State Records Office of Western Australia
Post Office Directories State Library of Western Australia

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Uses

Epoch General Specific
Original Use COMMERCIAL Warehouse
Present Use COMMERCIAL Warehouse

Architectural Styles

Style
Federation Warehouse

Construction Materials

Type General Specific
Roof METAL Corrugated Iron
Wall BRICK Painted Brick

Creation Date

30 May 1989

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

29 Jul 2024

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.