Office

Statement of Significance

The place has aesthetic significance as a Post-War Functionalist style commercial / industrial building. Built in 1946 it was designed by architects Powell, Cameron and Chisholm, whose architects together have made a significant contribution to architecture in the State. The place is also associated with Frank Beaurepaire and the Olympic Tyre company. As the first Post-War building constructed in the city it represents the recovering economy and the emergence of new business opportunities in Perth after war time rationing.

Physical Description

Two storey building with partly rendered facade, steel windows and elements of Inter-War Functionalist style. Part of facade altered with stone facing of recent origin. Terrazzo step original.

History

Murray Street was established along with St. Georges Terrace and Hay Street as one of the main streets of Perth from the time of colonisation in 1829 when the Perth Town Lots were surveyed and planned out. Until the 1880s the 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 many of the residential buildings located in the inner city were replaced with commercial buildings during this time, and the centre of Perth was substantially rebuilt. A newspaper article dated 21 August 1946 reports that: “Sir Frank Beaurepaire, founder and managing-director of the Olympic Tyre and Ruber [sic] Co. Ltd, who arrived in Perth yesterday by plane, announced that his company proposed to erect a building costing £25,000 in Murray-street, west of George-street, where a frontage of 150ft. was recently purchased. The contract for the building had been accepted. The new premises, which would be used for merchandising and selling, would be the most modern of their kind in Australia.” The building was designed by architectural firm, Powell, Cameron and Chisholm, and the builder was E. Allwood. During the war, Olympic Tyres had made field telephone wire for the war effort. In September 1946 the ban on purchase of rubber tyres due to war time rationing was to be lifted, and the company was taking advantage of this by establishing its first branch in Western Australia. When the building was officially opened by the Deputy Premier, Mr Watts, on 7 October 1947, the newspaper stated: “The new premises are constructed of reinforced concrete and consist of offices and warehouse. The entrance is set back from the street and the natural slope of the ground has been used to provide a loading block on the first storey at the rear. Special amenities for the staff have been provided. The building is the first major post-war building erected in the city. ”The Metropolitan Water Supply Survey plan (1953) shows the large brick building occupied by the Olympic Tyre Company Ltd. By 1961, three terraces to the west (601-603-605 Murray Street) had been demolished and the tyre company was using that area for a yard. Aerial photos show a large shed with ‘Olympic General Products’ painted on the roof. There was also a brick building at the rear west corner of Lot 36 which remains today. Harvest Terrace was extended through to Murray Street in the late 1960s, taking over the Olympic’ yard, and creating the curved shape to Lot 36. On 30 October 1980, the former tyre company building was opened as Baden Powell House by Premier Charles Court as the headquarters of the Scout Movement in Western Australia. A photo held at the State Library of WA dated 1983 shows the name of the building on the facade, since removed. At the time the Draft MHI was prepared in 1999 the place was still used as a scout hall. Two flag poles attached to the central pediment remain from this era. At 2022 the two storey building displays elements of the Functionalist style of architecture. It has a face brick and partly rendered facade, multi-paned steel framed windows and terrazzo steps. Part of the facade at the western end has been altered with stone facing of recent origin. The building is occupied by a gym and a ‘doggie day-care.’

Integrity/Authenticity

Low level of integrity. Medium level of authenticity.

Condition

Fair - Good

Uses

Creation Date

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