Local Government
Subiaco
Region
Metropolitan
440 Hay St Subiaco
Lots 5 and 6 on Diagram 1464
Wests Theatre & Picture Co; Wests Picture Theatre; Wests Picture Palace
Subiaco
Metropolitan
Constructed from 1911 to 1912
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHP - Does not warrant assessment | Current | 12 Mar 2021 |
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | ||||
| Place within a Heritage Area | Adopted | 15 Oct 2013 | Considerable contribution | |
26003 Rokeby Road & Hay St Conservation Area
440 Hay Street was designed as a purpose-built picture theatre in the Federation Free Classical style. While renovations were undertaken in the late 1920s with further renovations since the 1940s, historical photographs confirm that key detailing to the first floor facade remains as designed in 1912 (sufficient to allow an understanding of the original design). This includes the stepped parapet, moulded cornice, moulded string courses and porthole window openings. The parapet features a central raised panel containing two small arched niches surrounded by ornamental consoles. This was originally capped by an additional curved pediment. The other major original element that has been removed from the façade was a projecting central bay (possibly part of the bio-box). At ground floor level the façade has been rebuilt in a number of phases and retains no evidence of the original entry to the theatre.
In June 1911, Thomas Anthoness, architect, called for tenders for the construction of a picture theatre in Subiaco and in September of that year a 15-year lease agreement was registered between West’s Pictures Limited and the owners of this property, Mary Coade and Edith Larrad. The first purpose-built picture theatre in Western Australia had been constructed in Perth in 1911, and this was one of three more developed in 1911/1912. The first part of the development, an open-air picture garden (444-456 Hay Street), was opened in January 1912. West’s Picture Palace (later more commonly known as West’s Theatre) was officially opened in April: West’s new Picture Palace in Hay-street, Subiaco, was last evening officially opened by the Mayor (Mr. J. Chesters), in the presence of a big 'house.' The new amusement resort is built on up-to-date lines. The auditorium is so constructed as to command a view of any part of the screen, and the dress-circle is shortly to be fitted with comfortable tip-up -chairs. Over the next 25 years, the place was primarily used as a picture theatre, with outdoor screenings in the picture gardens in summer. However, the theatre was also used for a range of other community events. The theatre had a turn-over of managers in the early years, but in c.1916 a long-term association with the management of Subiaco’s picture theatres commenced with the appointment of Phillip Norman Appleby. In c.1927 the Coade family appointed Samuel Rosenthal, architect, to modernise the building and these works were completed in the early part of 1928 (primarily altering the main entrance and interior). West’s Theatre closed in 1937/38 and the premises were used by the Police Boys Club for much of the 1940s. In 1953 the Coade family sold the premises to the Winterbottom Motor Company, which adapted it as an up-to-date motor showroom. This involved major changes to the interior and the creation of a new shopfront. In 1964, the property was sold to the Dunlop Tyre Service and it was used as a tyre warehouse until at least the late 1970s. Since that time, it has had a number of changes of ownership and has been adapted for other commercial purposes including Wonderland of Cards and Toys (1982), a Nike store (2001) and Priceline pharmacy (2005). In 2021 the City of Subiaco received a Development Application for the proposed demolition of 440 Hay Street, and the adjoining buildings at 424-436 Hay Street, Subiaco. In 2022 the place remains vacant, with the shopfront windows boarded up.
The major building form is intact, and the first floor façade retains a medium level of authenticity. The fully rendered facade, central window to the first floor, inserts to the portholes, ground floor shopfronts and awning have a low level of authenticity.
Based on visual inspection from the street, the building appears to be in sound condition.
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Review of the Rokeby Road and Hay Street Heritage Area | Stephen Carrick Architects | July 2023 |
Very important to the significance of the Rokeby Road and Hay Street Heritage Area.
Historically 440 Hay Street is of significance within the context of Subiaco as one of the first three purpose-built, indoor picture theatres in Western Australia (all occupied by West’s Pictures Limited in 1911/1912). Despite later changes, the building envelope still retains important, and rare, evidence regarding the scale and form of a picture theatre in the period when the industry was still in its infancy in this state. The selection of Subiaco as the site for one of the Western Australia’s first indoor picture theatres reflects the prominence of the suburb in the period leading up to WWI.
Although the building has been extensively altered internally and to the ground floor frontage, the first floor façade continues to make a strong visual contribution to the traditional character of the streetscape (despite the noted alterations). Together with the row of seven shops at 424-428 Hay Street (adjacent) and the largely continuous group of early twentieth century commercial premises opposite (extending from 391-437), this place helps to create a distinctive entry to the Heritage Area from the east.
440 Hay Street also has important historical/social values for Subiaco as a place that provided an important focus for local entertainment in 1912-1937.
Individual Building or Group
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Original Use | SOCIAL\RECREATIONAL | Theatre or Cinema |
| Style |
|---|
| Inter-War Free Classical |
| Type | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Wall | BRICK | Painted Brick |
| Roof | ASBESTOS | Other Asbestos |
| Other | METAL | Tin |
| Wall | BRICK | Common Brick |
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