Commercial Building

Statement of Significance

The place has historical significance as one of a very few remaining terraces at the western end of the city dating from the period before the commercial area of the city extended to this part of Hay Street. The change of use to commercial/professional offices, and the loss of one of the three terraces, is representative of the changing character and growth of the City. The former terraces have little aesthetic value due to heavy modifications.

Physical Description

Two storey terrace of three former houses that has been adapted to commercial use. Corrugated iron roof with parapet walls between former houses, original chimneys, original windows at first level, ground floor level altered. Original houses evident at rear. Extant of original fabric not clear from external inspection.

History

Until the 1880s the Perth 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 most residential uses were displaced in favour of commercial development. The area around King Street was characterised by workers' cottages with shops, coal yards, smithies and foundries located in the adjacent areas of Murray and Hay Street. In the mid 1890s some smaller businesses began to establish themselves in existing cottages and a number of larger enterprises erected substantial new offices and warehouses in the area. Perth underwent a vigorous public works and corresponding expansion of commerce and trade, and by c. 1910 the centre of Perth was substantially rebuilt. Hay Street remained a major commercial street throughout the twentieth century and for most of that time was characterised by traffic, including trams. Post Office directories show that there were three double storey terraces originally 697-699-701. The terraces were built in 1897. The post office directory lists the occupant and the names of each house in 1898 as: Joseph Harris (Hinton) in No. 697, Michael G. Anderson (Jesmond) in No. 699, and Miss Julia Flynn (Jilba) in No. 701. Numbering changed in 1908 to 993-997.The Metropolitan Water Supply Survey plan (1939) shows three brick houses with full length front verandahs, and roughly in a L-shape so that there was a mini verandah half way down the length of the house inside the L, and another verandah at the rear. Aerial photos show that between 1953 and 1965, additions were made to the rear of the eastern two terraces, with the back yard of No. 997 left paved for carparking. The firewalls dividing the three terraces are visible in aerial photos. Viewed from the rear lane, this addition comprises of a large-hipped roof brick and iron warehouse with a roller door at the eastern end, and several multi-paned steel framed windows along the eastern elevation. A shop front was added to the terraces between 1985 and 1995.In 2012-13 a demolition of buildings adjacent and all the way west to Elder Street also included demolition of No. 997, leaving only two. The shopfront was refurbished or re-roofed at this time, so that the building is difficult to read as former terraced houses. When viewed from the eastern side right-of-way, the original two storey former residences are evident, with sash windows and evidence of upper floor verandahs. An internal assessment is required to determine what original fabric remains. Aerial photos show early original short sheet corrugated iron clad roofs. At 2022 the place is a ceramic tile gallery. The upper floor is not readable as former terraces, which have lost their verandah detailing.

Integrity/Authenticity

Low level of integrity. Low level of authenticity. Original early terrace of houses behind street facade.

Condition

Fair - Good

Uses

Creation Date

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