Office

Statement of Significance

The place is of aesthetic significance as an example of a residential building dating from period around the turn of the century. The increasing affluence of the community following the gold boom is reflected in the increased use of decoration. The place is of aesthetic significance as an example of a residential building dating from the mid twentieth century. The place is of historic significance because it reflects the way of life of the wealthier residents of Perth in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. The place is a representative example of a residential property in Perth dating from the late nineteenth to early twentieth century. The place represents the changing character of the Perth community from the post gold rush settlement period to the period of settlement by various ethnic communities, to the present. The place is a representative example of a residential property in West Perth that has undergone a change of use to commercial/professional offices with the changing character and growth of the City.

Physical Description

Two storey corner brick building originally residential, with rendered brick bands, and hipped roof and tall chimneys with terracotta pots. Prominent half-timbered flying gables to street front. Two storey verandah under separate roof with decorative timber posts, brackets, frieze & balustrade.

History

Hay Street was established along with St. George's Terrace and Murray Street, as one of the main streets of Perth from the time of settlement in 1829. It remained a major commercial street throughout the twentieth century and for most of that time was characterised by traffic, including trams. The character of the street changed after it became a mall in the 1970's. Example of a commercial building constructed in Perth during the period of expansion and development that followed the gold rush of the 1890's. The homes built in Perth in the 1890s and early 1900s were generally larger and more elaborately detailed than the earlier simple cottages they replaced. Although influenced in their design by homes of Victoria in particular, due to the influx of migrants from the eastern states, houses in Perth tended to be constructed as single detached, or sometimes pairs of attached, houses, rather than the extensive rows of terraced houses found in eastern Australia. Houses were generally single storey brick with corrugated iron roofs. Some more prestigious homes had slate or tiled roofs. Stucco decoration was popular as was wrought iron lace and timber fretwork. West Perth developed as suburban residential area in the late 1890's. 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 which 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. Less prestigious areas also developed in lower parts of the area and adjacent to the railway. (Ian Kelly; 'The Development of Housing in Perth (1890-1915)'; Unpub . thesis UWA 1992; p96.) The homes built in West Perth from the early1900's 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. Ref City of Perth - Draft Municipal Heritage Inventory, 2001The Walsh family lived at the property in 1915 until the 1950s. The house may have been divided into apartments in the 1940s as noted in an advertisement in 1942.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium level of integrity. Medium level of authenticity as it is largely as originally constructed with detail intact.

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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