Gobbles

Author

City of Perth

Place Number

16475

Location

613-617 Wellington St Perth

Location Details

Local Government

Perth

Region

Metropolitan

Construction Date

Constructed from 1907

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type Status Date Documents
(no listings)

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type Status Date Documents
RHP - Does not warrant assessment Current 27 Feb 2004

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type Status Date Grading/Management
Category
Municipal Inventory Completed\Draft 13 Mar 2001
Local Heritage Survey Adopted 28 Mar 2023 Category 3
Local Heritage Survey Completed\Draft Category 3
Perth Draft Inventory 99-01 YES 31 Dec 1999

Statement of Significance

The place has aesthetic significance as a Federation Warehouse and contributes to the visual quality of the streetscape. It has historic significance as a c. 1904 commercial building constructed during the period of economic affluence and increased development that followed the gold boom. As Gobbles Night club (1972-1998) the place has social value. The building is a representative example of a commercial warehouse that has been adapted for another use in the city.

Physical Description

Two storey commercial building with battlement parapet and decorative central pediment. Some modification to shop front.

History

In 1890 Western Australia achieved responsible government. This, combined with the discovery of gold in the early 1890s, provided the catalyst for development in Perth. Some smaller businesses began to establish themselves in existing cottages and a number of larger enterprises erected substantial new offices and warehouses. Earlier uses primarily served the local population, however this later development was more broadly based and was a direct response to the expansion of the city centre during the gold rush. The period from the late 1890s to early decades of the twentieth century was characterised by a vigorous public works and corresponding expansion of commerce and trade. During this period, the character of the Wellington Street was established. Part of Shafto Lane used to be called Barratt’s Lane, and in the early 1900s the building was a lime merchants, later given the number 631. In 1908, the building was occupied by D. J. Fowler Ltd, wholesale grocers. The company had businesses at Fremantle, Kalgoorlie, Adelaide, Broken Hill and London. In c. 1915-1949 H. J. Wigmore and Co., machinery and product merchants occupied No. 613 as their registered office. Farmers’ Mercantile Union and Chaff Mills was in No. 619 in 1915, but by 1920 Wigmores occupied Nos. 613-619. In c. 1970, the place was a nightclub called The Florideta. It was taken over in 1972 by John (Gobbles) Golding and became Gobbles nightclub. It then had a couple of other owners before being purchased by Bob Maher in 1979, who was proprietor until 1998. It was then sold to Abe Saffron, a well-known entrepreneur and Sydney based businessman who owned properties in Perth including the Raffles hotel in Applecross. In 2022 there is a 'Gobbles Nightclub' Facebook page. Employees and patrons regard the place as Perth institution.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity - High level of integrity. Authenticity - Has lost some detail ground floor level but intact above.

Condition

Fair - Good

References

Ref ID No Ref Name Ref Source Ref Date
Visual Assessment
Bob Maher, Facebook post https://www.facebook.com/groups/528248983889190/permalink/1310627532317994
Cons 4156/14 Metropolitan Water Supply Survey Plans State Records Office of Western Australia
Post Office Directories State Library of Western Australia
Aerial Photographs Landgate

State Heritage Office library entries

Library Id Title Medium Year Of Publication
5902 City of Perth Council Minutes 14 March 2000. Report 2000

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Uses

Epoch General Specific
Present Use COMMERCIAL Shop\Retail Store {single}
Original Use COMMERCIAL Shop\Retail Store {single}

Architectural Styles

Style
Inter-War Free Classical

Construction Materials

Type General Specific
Wall BRICK Rendered Brick

Creation Date

10 May 2002

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

30 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.