Commercial

Author

City of Subiaco

Place Number

24135

Location

403-405 Hay St Subiaco

Location Details

Local Government

Subiaco

Region

Metropolitan

Construction Date

Constructed from 1905

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type Status Date Documents
(no listings)

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type Status Date Documents
(no listings)

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type Status Date Grading/Management
Category
Place within a Heritage Area Adopted 15 Oct 2013 Considerable contribution
Local Heritage Survey Adopted 04 Feb 2003

Parent Place or Precinct

26003 Rokeby Road & Hay St Conservation Area

Statement of Significance

The place represents the historic development of Hay Street as a commercial street from the 1890s and early 1900s. It is a typical example of an early shop which contributes to the integrity of the commercial streetscape.

Physical Description

403 Hay Street is a two-storey commercial building that was designed with two shops and attached residences. The upper façade was designed in the Federation Free Classical style, with detailing that clearly defines the two separate premises. The walls are painted brick (originally face-brick with a tuck-pointed finish), with contrasting rendered detailing. The flat parapet is of a simple design, with a moulded cap, deeply moulded cornice and 3 parapet posts, each capped by a stucco ball. The pilasters below the parapet posts are more decorative, with varied mouldings, courses and face panels. At the centre of each half of the façade there is a triple-casement, timber-framed window with highlights. Each of these openings has an arched head with a stylised keystone and a decorative under-sill panel. What would have almost certainly been a traditional verandah has been replaced by a suspended boxed awning. The shopfronts have also been fully replaced since the mid-twentieth century.

History

The readily available evidence suggests that this site had been developed with 2 shops by 1905. Over time, some of the occupants included: 403 Hay Street  1906: Soloman Trobe, stationer & tobacconist  1910: Arthur Tate, cycle agent and repairer  1915: Not listed in the Post Office Directory  1920: Miss E Kelley, dressmaker  1925: Listed as vacant in the Post Office Directory  1930: C T Lyndhurst, French polisher  1935: Listed as vacant in the Post Office Directory  1940: Metro Radio Service, dealers  1945 & 1949: Ian Robert Dick, radio mechanic  2012 & 2022: Subi Hairdressing 405 Hay Street  1906: Percy Harold Hobbs, estate agent and agent for the Palatine Insurance Co. Note: Hobbs was advertising at this address by August 1905.  1910: Miss L Sinclair, draper  1915: The building was omitted from the Post Office Directory in 1915, but the lease on a small shop was advertised for sale in March of that year (due to the ill health of the proprietor)  1920: John Collins, grocer  1925 & 1930: Charles R Beck, store  1935: Horace Guest, second hand dealer  1940 & 1945: Benjamin Thoms Rowse, stove manufacturer  1949: Ross Hopgood, boot repairer  2012: Venus  2022: Zen, massage and nails lounge In 1933 the property was offered for sale as part of the deceased estate of the late Frederick William Sherwood: Improvements include two two-storied Brick Shops, known as 403 and 405, with ample living accommodation attached, occupying a good business position; e.l. and sewerage connected.

Integrity/Authenticity

The parapet and first floor façade have a medium-high level of authenticity. The painted finish to the brickwork, boxed awning and shopfronts have a low level of authenticity.

Condition

The main facade appears to be generally in good condition commensurate with the age of the building (based on streetscape inspection only).

References

Ref ID No Ref Name Ref Source Ref Date
Review of the Rokeby Road and Hay Street Heritage Area Stephen Carrick Architects July 2023

Other Keywords

Very important to the significance of the Rokeby Road and Hay Street Heritage Area.
Historically this place helps to illustrate the development of this section of Hay Street as an integral part of Subiaco’s commercial centre in the early twentieth century, with particular reference to the rapid development of Rokeby Road and its immediate environs in c.1904-1906.
The first floor facade and parapet are prominent traditional elements within the streetscape.
The place forms part of a largely continuous group of early twentieth century (c.1898-1926) commercial premises along the southern side of Hay Street, extending from 391-437, with a complementary row of seven shops and a former picture theatre opposite (424-440 Hay Street). This group clearly illustrates the manner in which buildings that are diverse in scale and detailing combine to create the strong heritage character that underpins the Rokeby Road and Hay Street Heritage Area. They also create a distinctive entry to the Heritage Area from the east.

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Uses

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

Architectural Styles

Style
Federation Free Classical

Construction Materials

Type General Specific
Wall RENDER Smooth

Creation Date

14 Aug 2012

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

07 Aug 2026

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.