Mortlock's Building

Statement of Significance

Mortlock's Building, 26 Queen Street has historic and aesthetic significance as a Federation Warehouse built in 1907 during the period of economic affluence and increased development that followed the gold boom. It reflects the expansion and development of commerce and trade in the City of Perth. It makes a positive contribution to the Queen Street streetscape.

Physical Description

The building appears to be close to its original form, with all original door and window openings. The commercial building with basement has three levels each featuring different architectural detail. Entrance distinguished by an oval window and prominent, classically-detailed brackets. High parapet blocks view of the corrugated iron gambrel roof from street, is capped by a moulded cornice. Centre piece of the parapet display the date of building, were the original signage would have been placed.

History

There was a rapid growth in the population of Western Australia and an increase in development in the city of Perth as a result of the prosperity from the 1890s goldrush. Many of the residential buildings located in the inner city near Queen Street were replaced with commercial buildings during this time. Queen Street was first established as a private road in the early 1890s and was acquired by the City of Perth in the late 1890s which provided more land for development close to the railway. The railway was completed in 1881 and overtook the river as the primary transport method. The west end area including Queen Street, King Street, west end of Murray and Hay Streets and part of Wellington Street became the location of warehouses and commercial buildings due to their proximity to the railway. Between 1900 and 1910 Queen changed from residential housing to being replaced with commercial buildings. Between World War One and the beginning of the Great Depression during a time of economic prosperity more commercial buildings were constructed in the inner city. Mortlock’s Building is a three-storey commercial building with basement. Each level features different architectural detail. The entrance to one side of the façade is distinguished by an oval window above prominent, classically-detailed brackets supporting a stucco awning. The pediment displays the date 1907. Mortlock Brothers was established 1896. They were a manufacturer, agent and importer of motorcycle components and accessories, gun metal, iron valves, cutlery and files. They were at this location (No. 30, numbering changed in 1908) from 1900, possibly in a different or temporary warehouse before construction of the current building. By 1903 other tenants were also located in the building including a leather merchant and leather goods manufacturer. A State Library of WA photograph 032413PD dated c. 1915 displays the products they sold. By c. 1920 Mortlock Bros. had relocated to a new building at 914 Hay Street and expanded into the motorcar industry. The building on Queen Street was referred to as Mortlock’s Building in the post office directory (1930) even after the business was no longer located in it.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity - Medium level of integrity. Authenticity - High level of authenticity. Substantially intact. Very good level of authenticity (externally). Lost original detail at ground floor level but intact above.

Condition

Very Good

Uses

Creation Date

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