Commercial Building

Author

City of Perth

Place Number

26605

Location

659 Hay Street Mall Perth

Location Details

Local Government

Perth

Region

Metropolitan

Construction Date

Constructed from 1895, Constructed from 1967, Constructed from 1920

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type Status Date Documents
Heritage List Adopted 19 Sep 2006
Heritage List Adopted 20 Dec 1985

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type Status Date Documents
(no listings)

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type Status Date Grading/Management
Category
Local Heritage Survey Adopted 28 Mar 2023 Category 2
Local Heritage Survey Completed\Draft Category 2

Parent Place or Precinct

04281 Hay Street Mall Precinct

Statement of Significance

The place has some aesthetic value for the remnant elements of the Late Twentieth Century style on the upper level façade. The place has historic value for its association with the development of the Hay Street retail precinct throughout the 20th century. The place has social value for the many members of the community for its continuity of function, and contribution to the sense of place of the Hay Street mall. The place is representative of the type of commercial premises in a retail precinct that have grown and changed as occupancies and standards change.

Physical Description

Two storey building with retail space at ground level. The building is simple in its presentation with its distinctive feature being the terracotta tiled panel in the pediment advertising the building's name. This section is clad with a stone veneer with the remainder of the visible facade being rendered. A large aluminium framed opening is positioned directly below the panel and extends across the majority of the first level facade. The retail unit has an one frontage with removable doors and display windows in the angled side panels. The internal features of the ground floor have changed over time.

History

From the available information a building was constructed c1895 on this site and the first occupant was George Evans, a tent maker. The place was occupied by a series of tenants in the early decades of the 20th century. By 1928, the place was occupied by optometrist Mr S. Sainken. From the 1930s to late 1940s, a long-term tenant and owner were hatters, Grose brothers. The origin of the name 'Optical House' is not established as the occupancy by Sainken in the late 1920s does not appear consistent with the detail of the facade. Advertisements for a receptionist in The West Australian from 1950 refer to Optical House. In 1967 the current building was constructed by builders Brian and Sons for Elias Ezekiel. The building was the premises for M Ezekiel and Sons optometrists. The upper floor was occupied by Peter Gregory who operated a hairdressing salon.

Integrity/Authenticity

High integrity. Medium level of authenticity. The place has experienced alteration to the ground level retail frontage and to the awning. The windows have been replaced with aluminium framed opening.

Condition

Fair

References

Ref ID No Ref Name Ref Source Ref Date
Rate Books City of Perth
Information from D Ezekiel 2022
Historical Aerial Photographs Landgate
Newspaper Article p. 5 The Western Mail 24 June 1937
Perth - CM321798/17 Hay Street Mall Heritage Area Study Hocking Heritage Studio 2017
Wise's Post Office Directories State Library of Western Australia

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Uses

Epoch General Specific
Original Use COMMERCIAL Shop\Retail Store {single}
Present Use COMMERCIAL Shop\Retail Store {single}

Architectural Styles

Style
Inter-War Art Deco

Construction Materials

Type General Specific
Wall TILE Terracotta Tile

Historic Themes

General Specific
OCCUPATIONS Commercial & service industries

Creation Date

08 Feb 2021

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

24 Jun 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.