The Carlton Centre

Statement of Significance

The place has aesthetic significance as a group of buildings with an Anglo Dutch architectural style built in the Inter-War period. It contributes to the streetscape and complements the Carlton Hotel adjacent.

Physical Description

Single storey row of shops with feature corner pediment and parapet with dutch gables. Some modification to shop fronts. Original awning still intact. The building is designed to complement the Carlton Hotel adjacent.

History

Until the 1880s the Perth 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. Hay Street was established, along with St. Georges Terrace and Murray Street, as one of the main streets of Perth from the time of colonisation in 1829. It remained a major commercial street throughout the twentieth century and for most of that time was characterised by traffic, including trams. The character of the street changed after the section between William and Barrack Streets became a mall in the 1970s. Post Office directories show there was housing in the eastern section of Hay Street in the early 1900s, but in the Inter-War period this area had become individual shops. In 1927 Westralian Hotels Limited built the Carlton Hotel in Hay Street. The design was by Eales and Cohen architects. A parapet and similar shaped pediments in the same Anglo-Dutch style as the Carlton Hotel along the adjacent shopfronts acts as a unifying feature to create ‘The Carlton Centre’. More research is required to determine if this was done as part of the 1928 Carlton Hotel project or was a later development. Aerial photos show that originally the rear of Lot 1 had a house, facing Bennett Street. At the rear of Lot 2 there was a large building (not a house). Both buildings were demolished between 1995 and 2000 and this area is now carparking. In 2022 The Carlton Centre comprises of various shops.

Integrity/Authenticity

High integrity. Medium authenticity. Has lost original detail at ground floor level but intact above.

Condition

Good

Uses

Creation Date

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