Armadale District Hall

Statement of Significance

The hall is important to the local community because of its aesthetic characteristics. It has landmark qualities in the main street of Armadale and contributes to the aesthetic character of the historic precinct. The building embodies features which are typical of the way of life in Armadale. The building is important as a source of information about the history of human activity in the Armadale region. The building is important to the community as a place valued for its social and cultural associations and it is also significant in contributing to a sense of place.

Physical Description

The building was designed by Oldham Boas and Ednie Brown in 1935 as a multi-purpose hall complete with well-proportioned stage and dressing rooms as well as an adjacent large supper room and kitchen together with a shop complete with its own independent kitchen. Like a few other district halls built at the time of the great popularity of the movies (and the subsequent impact they had on the social life of the community) provision was made for a purpose-built bio-box for film projection. This was constructed above the crush hall and a ticket box placed centrally in the main entrance. Significantly, the stairway to the projection room was accessed from the men's cloakroom since it would have been inconceivable that the projectionist would be other than male. The style of the building both inside and out is typical of the designs of Oldham, Boas and Ednie Browne at the time. It represents the transitional period between the rustic simplicity of the Arts and Crafts style suited to the Armadale area yet adhered to the dawnings of modernism.

History

The Armadale District Hall is a representative of the architecture of a significant period of improved prosperity and development in the district during the mid-1930s and is one of a number of buildings dating from the Inter-War Years. The building has also been the scene for 60 years of many events of social relevance in the history of the district. With the exception of the present colour scheme, the building has altered very little during the intervening years and still offers a commanding presence overlooking Minnawarra Park and Neerigen Valley from its position at the intersection of Jull Street and Church Avenue. It is adjacent to the historic building now used as the tourist and craft centre and, close to the re-sited Old Church building, forms the basis of a heritage precinct. The City of Armadale has seen fit to preserve the hall in its main thoroughfare enhancing it with a recent coat of pain and full garden scheme. The Hall was opened by the then Lieutenant Governor, Sir James Mitchell in 1936 and attracted a large crowd of local residents on the day.

Condition

The building is in an excellent state of repair and maintenance with attractive and well maintained gardens surrounding it.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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