State Electricity Head Quarters (fmr)

Statement of Significance

The place has historical significance as a commercial building dating from 1927 designed by architect J. Ochiltree. It has aesthetic significance as an Inter-War Stripped Classical building that makes a positive contribution to the visual quality of the streetscape. The place is of historic significance because it reflects the expanding requirements and development of electrical services to the City of Perth, later coming under control of the State government.

Physical Description

Former headquarters of the state electricity commission. Well balanced symmetrical form with central rectangular pediment. Vertical emphasis with rectangular windows; three storey building which has lost original detail at ground floor level. Unusual circular openings to prominent wings of building. Classical form but lack of classical detail gives a simpler appearance.

History

Until the 1880s the town centre was characterised by the establishment of small cottages, shops and small businesses and was rural in character. The expansion of commerce following the discovery of gold in the 1890s put pressure on land in the centre of Perth with the result that many of the residential buildings located in the inner city were replaced with commercial buildings during this time, and the centre of Perth was substantially rebuilt. Murray Street was established along with St. Georges Terrace and Hay Street as one of the main streets of Perth from the time of colonisation in 1829 when the Perth Town Lots were surveyed and planned out. There was a three-storey building on this location built for Robertson and Moffatt, a house furniture warehouse, in 1895. It used to be Nos. 136-140. Numbering changed in 1908. The building was in the Federation Free style of architecture, and a sketch of it appeared in the 1898 post office directory, p. 243. Robertson and Moffatt remained in this location until 1915, followed by their successors A. Waterman and Co until 1919. From 1920 the three-storey building was occupied by the City Council Electricity Department. The City Council had acquired the Perth Gas Co in 1912, which also supplied electricity. In 1923 the conversion of the city’s street lighting from gas to electricity has been completed. Tenders were called in April 1927 by architect J. L. Ochiltree for ‘General Alterations to offices and for the erection of four storied additions to premises in Murray St.’ The building façade has 1927 in the central pediment and reads ‘City of Perth Electrical and Gas Department’. A photo held by the State Library of WA dated 1927, shows a sign posted on the building that reads: “New premises being erected for Electricity & Gas Dept. J. L. Ochiltree, Architect, Todd Bros, Contractor.” A newspaper article in May 1928 reads: “The new three-storey building to house the Electricity and Gas Department of the City Council, which has been erected by Todd Bros, at a cost of £15,587, on a site of the old departmental building, is shown in the accompanying illustration. The structure which was planned by Mr. J. L. Ochiltree, is composed of brick, in a steel frame with a frontage of 66ft by a depth of 50ft and the front elevation which is 59ft. from the footpath to the centre pediment, was designed with the object of flood lighting from the balcony and from the parapet. The basement of the building will be let to tenants. The ground floor will be used as formerly, as a showroom for gas and electrical goods, and the two upper floors, will afford greater space to the staff, enabling some to be transferred from the ground floor. A two-storey structure at the rear, part of which is used as public offices, has been rearranged, and additional light is given through the roof. ”The Metropolitan Water Supply Survey plan (1943) shows the building was the ‘Electricity & Gas Dept’ and the brick building extended to the rear of the lot. In 1946 the State Electricity Commission was established and took over Perth City Gas and Electricity Co. A photo held by the State Library of WA dated 1953, shows the building decorated for the Queen’s coronation. There is a very large ‘E & G’ neon letters on the roof of the building, with the letters readable from the north side. At this time the building was known as Electricity House. Another photo dated 1978 shows that the ground floor has an awning over the pavement, and the street front façade has been modernised for the State Energy Commission of WA offices. At 2022, ownership and occupation of this building is combined with the multistorey Western Power Corporation building at 363 Wellington Street. The building has a well-balanced symmetrical form with a central rectangular pediment. It has a vertical emphasis with rectangular windows. The façade is classical in form but has retrained detail and elements of the Inter-War style, especially the semi-circular window sills and the oriel windows on the parapet of the projecting outer columns.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium level of integrity. Medium level of authenticity. Has lost original detail at ground floor level but intact above.

Condition

Fair

Uses

Creation Date

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