Perth Trades Hall

Statement of Significance

Perth Trades Hall (1912), a building comprising two storeys and a basement in masonry construction with a decorative stucco finish, designed in the Federation Romanesque style, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: the place was built in 1912 as the first permanent headquarters of the Metropolitan District Council of the Australian Labour Federation (MDC) and served as the base for both the industrial and political activities of the Australian labour movement until 1985, and again from 2013 to present; the place was the first Trades Hall to be built in Perth, and the first one to be built in Australia without Government assistance and is associated with the growth and development of trade unionism and labour movements of Western Australia; it is part of a group of significant places that includes the Western Australian Museum and former Art Gallery of Western Australia designed in the Federation Romanesque style, the former Swan Barracks and to the south the former Police Courts, now part of the Art Gallery of Western Australia and makes a strong visual contribution to this significant context; and, the place is a good example of a two storey masonry construction office building designed in the Federation Romanesque style. The subsequent abutting buildings, including Unity Hall (1923), Curtin House (1973), the Labour Centre (1981) of four storeys constructed in concrete blocks are not part of this assessment. Despite the historic and social importance of Unity Hall, it was considered that insufficient original fabric remained, in a recognisable form, for the place to warrant entry into the State Register of Heritage Places.

Physical Description

Perth Trades Hall is a building comprising two storeys and a basement in masonry construction, with decorative stucco ornamentation and a render finish over brickwork designed in the Federation Romanesque style, constructed in 1912 for the Metropolitan District Council of the Australian Labor Federation (MDC), and supervised by E. P. Henshaw.

History

Perth Trades Hall (1912) was designed as an office building for the state executive of the Australian Labor Party. It comprises 3 levels, 2 storeys above ground level and one lower ground level, and was the first purpose-built headquarters for the then Metropolitan District Council of the Australian Labor Federation (MDC).

Integrity/Authenticity

In 2004, integrity was recorded as: Since uses related to labour movement have ceased, the place has undergone numerous changes with the removal of one of the key staircases, changes to some spaces, changes to finishes and the entrance area. Underlying the numerous changes there is a good deal of original fabric. The ground and first floor remain the most intact levels of the building. Overall the place retains a moderate degree of integrity. In 2004, authenticity was recorded as: Perth Trades Hall was designed as an office building for the state executive of the Australian Labor Party, for the offices of a number of unions, and as the entrance to the temporary and later permanent Unity Hall. These uses have ceased. The basic intent of the office accommodation remains intact, but the entrance functions are no longer apparent. The removal of the southern staircase further diminishes the legibility of the entrance building function. The present uses are compatible with the original intention and the building provides good quality office space. The present use has the capacity to sustain heritage values. The place retains a moderate degree of authenticity.

Condition

In 2004, the condition was reported as: Though there has been much change to the place, it retains many of its aesthetic qualities. The changes have involved a good deal of internal rearrangement is a small number of areas. The place appear to receive regular minimal maintenance. The remaining original fabric is generally in good condition and the overall presentation of the place suggests that it is in fair to good condition.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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