Eulla

Statement of Significance

The place has aesthetic significance as an Inter-War Functionalist style block of flats. Built in 1932, Eulla Flats is associated with the architects Powell, Cameron and Chisholm, whose architects together have made a significant contribution to architecture in the State. The flats represent the change and evolution of residential living in West Perth, where many individual houses dating from the Federation gold boom era were replaced or converted into flats in the Inter-War period. The place is a significant component of the Outram Street streetscape.

Physical Description

This is a two-storey building, which was originally a residential dwelling. Combination hipped roof with street facing gable, tall rendered brick chimney with terracotta pots. Upper & lower level bay under roof gable that extends to ground entry decorative ridge capping to roof.

History

West Perth developed as suburban residential area in the late 1890s. From its inception it had the characteristics of a quality neighbourhood. Proximity to the city centre and Kings Park (then known as Perth Park), and the elevated location provided healthy site drainage as well as cooling breezes and views over the city and hills. The area had social status already associated with addresses in nearby Mount Street and access to the city's piped water system. The area was subdivided into large residential lots for development and proceed accordingly. The homes built in West Perth from the early 1900s included prestigious mansions built in prominent locations and smaller working class cottages in the narrower back streets and towards the northern end of the area adjacent to the railway. Outram Street had several houses on it by 1900, more on the east side than the west, but numbering was not allocated, making it difficult to trace dates of construction. Post Office directories show that E. J. Bickford was living on the street in 1903, in a house which was later allocated No. 12; then No. 16. Numbering changed to No. 14 in 1908.Louis and Lily Seeligson lived at this house from 1905. The Seeligons, who previously lived at No. 1 Richardson Street, were one of the earliest Jewish families in Perth. The name Seeligson is still closely associated with the Western Australian Jewish Community which benefits from their initiative and generosity. Phineas Seeligson, elder brother of Louis, bequeathed the greater part of his Estate to the Trusteeship of the Perth Hebrew Congregation for the purpose of helping to meet the spiritual, educational and philanthropic needs of the Jewish Community. Louis Seeligson was still the main occupant in the early 1930s, by this time a well-known financier. In 1932, the newspaper reported that Seeligson was redeveloping his property into ‘Eulla Flats’. The building contract tender was won by T. Snook and Sons, and the architect was Powell, Cameron and Chisholm. The West Australian describes the development in detail:"Seeligson's Ltd., has accepted the tender of Messrs. T. Snooks and Son, amounting to £3,059 for extensive alterations and additions to a residence in Outram Street, West Perth, which will be converted into four modern self-contained flats, from plans prepared by Messrs. Powell, Cameron and Chisholm, architects, of Perth. Each flat will consist of a lounge, dining-room, two bedrooms, bathroom and kitchenette. Modern designed open fire places with book cupboards on each side, and set in inglenooks, will be built in each lounge, and the walls will have a texture finish up to the china shelf which surrounds the room. The windows and doors will be glazed with leadlight. The bathrooms will have terrazzo floors, tiled walls, pedestal basins with sunken baths, gas bath heaters and shower recess with glass doors. A built-in shaving cabinet between two windows will complete the appointments. The kitchenettes will be equipped with gas stoves, sinks, with leadlight glazed china cupboards above and pot cupboards underneath, larder cupboards, folding tables and ironing boards. There will be a tiled dado to the walls, and the floors will be in terrazzo. Garbage shoots will be installed to the upstairs flats. Cloak, linen, broom and wardrobe cupboards will also be built in wherever convenient. The ceilings throughout will be ornamental plaster sheet. Special attention has been paid to the electric lighting, and power plugs for each room. Externally the building will be modernised by removing the existing hedge and fence which is to be replaced by a dwarf wall and demolishing the existing wooden front verandah and balcony and replacing it with brick piers and balustrade. Concrete stairs will give access to the first floor flats, and back stairs have also been provided for." (9 November 1932, p. 10) Seeligson occupied one of the four flats. He died there in 1942. The State Library of Western Australia holds a photo dated 1983 (312097PD) showing the place as Bagwell’s Restaurant. A real estate advertisement from October 2020 shows the interior. The place is remarkably intact with leadlight windows and fitted cabinetry in the living and kitchen areas, timberwork and elaborate ceilings and fireplaces. At 2022 the place is leased as offices.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity - Low level of integrity. Authenticity - original form but has lost original detail.

Condition

Good

Uses

Creation Date

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