Mitchells Building

Statement of Significance

The place is an integral component of a largely intact precinct of buildings from the Federation and Interwar periods, strongly contributing to the historic streetscape that remains on both sides of William Street, and together with other nearby streetscapes from that period collectively forms a significant townscape. The place is a fine example of the Federation Free Classical Style applied to a commercial building, distinguished by an inventively composed front façade modulated by strongly moulded classical elements, some with mannerist characteristics, that give it considerable depth and visual strength. The place is representative and provides evidence of the City of Perthʼs expansion and the intensive building program that occurred during the gold rush period, which dates from the discovery of gold in Western Australia in the 1880s and 1890s up to World War One. The upper floor of the building, designed in the ionic order, is of high authenticity with the fabric of both the interior and exterior of the building remaining largely in its original state. The place has been associated with the Mitchell family, after whom the building is named, since the original 1837 land grant to John Mitchell, with members of the Mitchell family continuing to own the property up to 1949. The place was designed by architect Louis Bowser Cumpston.

Physical Description

Mitchellʼs Buildings was constructed using traditional building materials and techniques, the walls of the front facade are finished with a grey coloured render while the roof is concealed by the parapet. The building was designed in the Federation Free Classical style and is distinguished by an inventively composed front façade modulated by strongly moulded elements including paired ionic engaged columns, architraved openings, rusticated pilasters and parapeted walling adorned with a stepped pediment. The massing of the stepped pediment forms a prominent skyline feature incorporating a stepped arrangement of block-like pieces which includes at its top a square block on which is ʻ1912ʼ formed in bas relief numerals. Other bas relief lettering on the façade includes ʻMitchellʼsʼ in the frieze of the entablature directly below the pediment, while ʻBuildingsʼ is located in the frieze further south. The building has a rectangular form extending across the full width of the street boundary and abutting the two-storey buildings to the north and south. A suspended canopy runs continuously across the upper level of the ground floor façade. The earlier and replacement canopy is segmentally curved in section allowing light to reach the band of high-level windows running above the shopfront. Much of the interior surface finishes and detailing was consistent with the original period of construction, featuring timber flooring, plastered and painted walls and ceilings, ornate archways and architraves, and ornate pressed metal ceilings. In 2004 this building was part of the Perth Underground rail project and only the façade of the building was retained. A new commercial building was constructed at the rear of the building.

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 most residential uses were displaced in favour of commercial development. During the 1890s and early 1900s the centre of Perth was substantially rebuilt. The period of expansion in Perth coincided with a period of economic depression in the eastern states, in particular Victoria. As a result, there was substantial migration from Victoria to WA. This migration included businessmen, architects and builders, all of whom had a considerable influence on the development of the city. In 1837 Perth Town Lot V20 was granted to John Mitchell, a Private in the 63rd Infantry Regiment. By 1884 there were six cottages located on the property, two cottages with shops and a residence and grounds. Portions of the property were sold in the late 1880s and in the 1890s four commercial buildings were located on the property. In 1922 the remaining portion of land owned by the Mitchell family was subdivided and Lot 3 became the location of Mitchell’s Buildings which was constructed in 1912-1913. During the twentieth century the building was modified and renovated. It was used for commercial purposes. In 2004 this building was part of the Perth Underground rail project and only the façade of the building was retained. A new commercial building was constructed at the rear of the building.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity - High level of integrity. Authenticity - original detail. Highly intact.

Condition

Fair

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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