Wentworth Plaza Hotel

Author

City of Perth

Place Number

02067

Location

300 Murray St Perth

Location Details

Cnr William St Also part of Raine Square P09824 & Central Perth Precinct P15846 Also a part of the Murray Street West Precinct P02729

Other Name(s)

Commercial Building
pt of Raine Square complex

Local Government

Perth

Region

Metropolitan

Construction Date

Constructed from 1928

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type Status Date Documents
Heritage List Adopted 09 Jan 2004
Heritage List Adopted 19 Jan 2007

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type Status Date Documents
(no listings)

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type Status Date Grading/Management
Category
Local Heritage Survey Completed\Draft Category 1
Local Heritage Survey Adopted 28 Mar 2023 Category 1
Municipal Inventory Completed\Draft 13 Mar 2001 Category 2
Perth Draft Inventory 99-01 YES 31 Dec 1999
Statewide Hotel Survey Completed 01 Nov 1997

Statement of Significance

The place is a fine example of a commercial building in the Federation Free Classical style, with a stuccoed façade featuring a parapet and classical mouldings. The place is sited on a prominent corner location along a major thoroughfare in the city. It has significance for its landmark quality. The place is a component of a commercial block which forms a landmark northern entry to the central business district of Western Australia’s capital city. The place provides evidence of a period of growth following World War One, which occurred throughout Western Australia as a result of the expansion of the agricultural industry. The place has associations with Mrs Raine who owned and ran the Hotel Wentworth and whose charitable bequest established the University of Western Australia’s Raine Medical Research Foundation and subsequently Raine Square. It was the business centre for Mary ‘Ma’ Thomas (later Raine), who owned it and many other properties and ran the hotel from its construction in 1928 until her death in 1960. The place is associated with a number of architects who designed many prominent buildings in the central Perth Area, including Henry Trigg; William Garnsworthy Bennett; and Hobbs Smith and Forbes. The place represents the transformation of the city during the Inter-War period when it was built to replace the older Gordon’s Café and Hotel on the site. The place was particularly popular for social functions during the Inter-War years and went on to provide the shore accommodation for the United States Navy submarine crews during the Second World War. The place is representative of the consolidation of Perth from a town into a city and the place has been in continual retail and commercial use since construction.

Physical Description

Three storey commercial building with shops at ground floor level. Simple classical detailing to facade which is divided into bays by pilasters. Arched openings to facade are a feature of the building. Decorative parapet concealing the roof. Considerable alteration to the building at ground level. Awning may be original.

History

The 1920's in Perth was characterised by economic prosperity and expansion. There was considerable migration from Britain and Europe encouraged by government sponsored settlement programmes. In the city this was a period of consolidation. There was continued commercial development including the construction of arcades, hotels and commercial buildings. The Wentworth Hotel was constructed in 1928 and replaced buildings including a hotel and shops. Mary Thomas purchased the hotel which was located on the property as well as overseeing the rebuilding of the new hotel. Alterations were made to the building in 1936. Mary ran the hotel with her husband Arnold Raine, who died in 1957, until her death in 1960.The hotel was a popular venue for functions and during World War Two was used for shore leave for the United States Navy submarine crews. Further alterations were made in the 1960s.

Integrity/Authenticity

Low level of integrity. Medium level of authenticity as it has lost original detail at ground floor level but intact above.

Condition

Very Good

References

Ref ID No Ref Name Ref Source Ref Date
Draft Municipal Inventory City of Perth 2001
On Building Facade
Conservation Plan - Murray 300 - Raine Square - Royal Hotel - Wentworth Plaza Hotel, TPG 2016

State Heritage Office library entries

Library Id Title Medium Year Of Publication
11525 Raine Square redvelopment Archival Record 2017
5065 William, Murray, Queen and Wellington Streets streetblock (including Raine Square) heritage assessment. Draft. March 2001 Heritage Study {Other} 2001
11452 Raine Square Heritage Buildings Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan} 2016

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Uses

Epoch General Specific
Original Use COMMERCIAL Hotel, Tavern or Inn
Present Use COMMERCIAL Shopping Complex

Architectural Styles

Style
Inter-War Stripped Classical

Construction Materials

Type General Specific
Wall BRICK Rendered Brick
Roof METAL Corrugated Iron

Historic Themes

General Specific
OCCUPATIONS Hospitality industry & tourism

Creation Date

20 Apr 1989

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

15 Jul 2024

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.