Kia Ora

Statement of Significance

Kia Ora has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: As a two-storey residential building combined with it being a well-expressed example of the Victorian Regency style of architecture and fine and authentic architectural detailing the place has landmark value. The place reflects the typical dwelling of a rising middle class that emerged from the commercial and service industries that developed around the port of Albany in the latter part of the 19th century particularly when Albany was the main port for Western Australia. The place is one of a group of significant residences built during the Late Victorian/Federation period in the historic town centre, many of which were used as boarding and guest houses or flats given their proximity to the town centre, railway station and harbour and owing to Albany’s growing popularity as a summer holiday resort. Boarding/guest houses and flats such as this were predominantly established and run by women making them an important and respectable avenue of work for local women at a time when other employment opportunities, especially for married women and even widows living in urban areas, were rare.

Physical Description

Some of the notable features of this place include: • Large scale, two storey, Late Victorian town house • Set close to the road - high streetscape value • Prominent gabled wing • Timber bargeboard • Faceted bay window • Bracketed eaves • Inside, fine plastered and ornamented arch in hall way • Window arch inside large living room Some obvious modifications include: • Conversion to flats • Steep stairway against front facade crosses a window • Iron lace added to both levels of front double storey porch • External paint colour scheme

History

The place at 37-39 was built on original Town Lot 53. The earliest advertisements for Kia Ora Guest House were in 1933. Its address was Stirling Street at the time. Originally it had a two-storey verandah/balcony. From 1934-1944 Kia Ora was run by proprietress Mrs Glenister, who had moved from Young Street in Beaufort. Advertisements for Kia Ora during Glenister’s management promoted Kia Ora as “Superior Board and Residence for Summer Visitors” [Western Mail 16/11/1939]. In May 1944, Glenister relinquished her business and put it up for sale. After World War II, this large two storey residence was converted into four flats. Mrs F Wolfe – daughter of Thomas Knapp (Springfield Torbay) lived here 1945. It was still called Kia Ora Guest House in 1954. The address at this time was 5 Collie Street. When this was originally constructed this street was called Stirling Street. In 1934 the street name changed to Council Street and then in February 1946 it was renamed Collie Street after Alexander Collie first Government Resident of Albany.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Moderate Authenticity: High/Moderate

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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