Commercial Bulding

Statement of Significance

The place has historical significance as a purpose-built factory for Coca Cola Ltd in 1944, the first Coca Cola plant in the state. It has historical and aesthetic significance as a Post-War Functionalist style building designed by architects Powell, Cameron and Chisholm. The place makes a positive contribution to the Murray Street streetscape. It is a representative example of a commercial warehouse that has been adapted for another use in the city.

Physical Description

Single storey building with functionalist detailing to the door opening. Has been restored. Some alterations to the facade. Extent of original fabric not clear from external inspection.

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. From c. 1910 this part of Murray Street began to be dominated by car dealerships and associated service industries, which took over from carriage services and stabling/livery businesses. The 1920s in Perth was characterised by economic prosperity and expansion and, this was a period of consolidation with continued commercial development. Post Office directories show that there was no business at Nos. 471 or 473 in the 1930s and prior to that the western end of Murray Street was mostly residential. No. 473 was first listed in 1940, occupied by Coca Cola Co, aerated water manufacturers. In 1944 newspapers reported that a new factory for Coca Cola was being erected on Murray Street ‘a short distance west of Milligan Street’ and that the soft drink would be made here (in the state) for the first time. Perhaps prior to this, the company had an office on the site, as the head office was in Sydney. The new factory building had “a frontage of 45 feet and a depth of 126 feet [13.7m x 38.5m; as it stands today]. It will consist of a ground floor only, but the outer walls are being reinforced to carry an extra floor if needed.” The architects were Powell, Cameron and Chisholm, and the builder was Mr. E. Allwood. The development was owned by J. & W. Bateman to be leased to Coca Cola. In 1949, when post office directories ceased publication, Coca Cola was still occupying the building. A black and white photo held at the State Library of WA dated c. 1960 shows the building (No. 473) as the Dunlop flooring centre. The entry doors at right were double timber doors with glazed tops. The garage door at left was enclosed by a cyclone mesh gate. The facade was unpainted brick to dado, and smooth rendered and painted above. A photo held at the State Library of WA dated 1994 shows the building as Booker Settlements (renumbered No. 471), and it is painted a dusky pink above the grey brick dado, with red face brick below. The parapet elements are highlighted by contrasting shades of pink. At 2022 the building is vacant and has been subject to graffiti. Behind the street façade with its garage door entry accentuated by an Art Deco style vertical pediment, is a four plane, sawtooth-roofed building. There are metal framed hopper windows along the length of the building on the laneway elevation (east). The original doors have been removed.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium level of integrity. Medium level of authenticity (restored and adapted.)

Condition

Fair - Good

Uses

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update