Albany Chambers

Author

City of Perth

Place Number

16549

Location

119-123 Barrack St Perth

Location Details

Also part of Central Perth Precinct P15846

Local Government

Perth

Region

Metropolitan

Construction Date

Constructed from 1987

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type Status Date Documents
Heritage Area Adopted 05 Aug 2009

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type Status Date Documents
RHP - To be assessed Current 27 Feb 2004

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type Status Date Grading/Management
Category
Municipal Inventory Completed\Draft 13 Mar 2001 Category 2
Local Heritage Survey Adopted 28 Mar 2023 Category 2
Local Heritage Survey Completed\Draft Category 2
Perth Draft Inventory 99-01 YES 31 Dec 1999

Statement of Significance

The place is of aesthetic significance as an example of a commercial building constructed during the period of economic affluence and increased development that followed the gold boom. It has historic significance because it reflects the expansion and development of commerce and trade in the City of Perth in the early years of the twentieth century. The place is significant for its contribution to the Barrack Street streetscape of which it forms an integral component. The place has associations with Perth confectioner and philanthropist, Peter Albany Bell.

Physical Description

Two story commercial building, not intact at ground floor level, first floor facade concealed behind screen. Facade comprises painted tuck pointed brickwork, arched windows with casements with fanlights over. Not intact at ground level. Mezzanine office with 1960s fit-out. First floor contains extensive original fabric including lathe and plaster walls, pressed tin ceilings and skylights. Stairs not original. Important component of the Barrack Street streetscape which includes a high proportion of buildings dating from the late nineteenth and early twentieth century.

History

Barrack Street was so named because it is located adjacent to the parade ground and barracks set aside for the original planning of Perth for offices and soldiers. This area extended from St. Georges Terrace to Hay Street and from Barrack Street to Pier Street. The barrack ground formed the buffer in the original plan for Perth between the western commercial area and the eastern administrative part of town. The area became the site for various government buildings including the Town Hall in 1867. Barrack Street was subdivided in the 1890s. A number of lots with narrow frontages were created but a number of investors bought adjacent lots to develop larger buildings. Numerous businesses have occupied the multiple outlets within the building over the course of its history. It is difficult to determine the date of construction without deeper research, as there have been shops in this location since before 1895. It was typical in the late 1890s economic boom for buildings to be demolished and rebuilt, and also refurbished with a modern style in the Inter-War years. Albany Bell confectioners had occupied the location since 1903. It was originally No. 153-155. Numbering changed in 1908 to No. 115, then later 119-121. In 1930, ‘ABC Ltd’, confectioners and tea rooms, was in the basement of the building. Peter Albany Bell was an important manufacturer and philanthropist in the early years of the twentieth century. He arrived in Western Australia in 1887 and worked at a variety of jobs before opening a small shop in Hay Street, Perth, in 1894 making and selling confectionery and lemon squash. The one shop expanded and developed into an established tea room business, with two more premises on Barrack Street. The building at 119-121 Barrack Street was called ‘Albany Chambers’ from 1915 in the post office directory.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium integrity. Medium authenticity. The facade has been restored.

Condition

Good

References

Ref ID No Ref Name Ref Source Ref Date
Post Office Directories State Library of Western Australia
G. Seddon & D. Ravine, 'A City and its Setting,' Fremantle 1986
Visual Assessment
Jane McKenzie Architectural Dissertation Curtin University November 1993
Cons 4156/19 Metropolitan Water Supply Survey Plans State Records Office of WA

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Uses

Epoch General Specific
Original Use COMMERCIAL Shop\Retail Store {single}
Present Use COMMERCIAL Shop\Retail Store {single}

Construction Materials

Type General Specific
Wall BRICK Rendered Brick

Creation Date

16 May 2002

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

06 Jun 2024

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.