Albany Advertiser and Printing Works

Statement of Significance

Albany Advertiser and Printing Works has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: The place is one of a group of significant buildings in York Street containing a diverse range of architecture predominantly in the Federation and Inter-War styles which together have formed the main commercial and civic heart of Albany next to Stirling Terrace Precinct and with important views to Princess Royal Harbour. The place has a high level of integrity having been the headquarters for the Albany Advertiser newspaper for over 100 years, since the mid-1890s, although the printing operations are no longer carried out in the building. The building is a landmark building on York Street and an important contributor to the streetscape, particularly as a good example of the Federation Free Classical Style.

Physical Description

Some of the notable features of this place include: • Two storey building • Originally rendered façade only with facebrick on side elevations • Symmetrical form with simple classic motifs particularly evident on second floor fenestration • Arched windows to upper story with rendered arched headers and connected by string course • High parapet to the front façade (may have been increased in height) • Original double gable roof Some obvious modifications include: • Skillion verandah • Parapet running length of building (hiding the twin gable roof) to make building single premise • Two arched windows to the south elevation • Render to side elevations/painted • Modifications to windows/shop front/entry door on ground floor

History

The precursor to the Albany Advertiser was called Australian Advertiser by its founder Lancel Victor De Hamel in 1888. De Hamel, a lawyer who went on to become Mayor of Albany as well as a member of Parliament, established his own paper in response to his frustrations with his views and opinions not being represented in the existing newspaper in Albany, the Mail, as well as the Perth papers of the time. Published generally as a thrice-weekly, originally from premises in Stirling Terrace, then, from the early-1890s, from its two-storey offices at 165 York Street, the Advertiser outlasted all other locally produced papers and subsumed other smaller ones, including newspaper produced in the north-west of the State. Historic photographs suggest that the Advertiser and printing works may have only occupied the south part of the building originally, and before the parapet was heightened the double gable roof was more evident. In 1979, Albany Advertiser was taken over by Bell Group. The full production of the newspaper remained in Albany and the paper’s production facilities were completely refitted and a modern press line installed, although a fire in 1981 was to destroy half the building and much of the new equipment. In 1987 Bell Group took over The West Australian newspaper holdings and so, like Kalgoorlie Miner, the Albany Advertiser had a sister relationship with the State’s flagship newspaper. All printing was relocated to Perth in 2002, although, like the Kalgoorlie Miner and Great Southern Herald, it continues to be produced locally and has a local office.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High Authenticity: Moderate

Condition

Fair

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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