Perth Trades Hall

Statement of Significance

The place was built in 1912 as the first permanent headquarters of the Metropolitan District Council of the Australian Labour Federation (MDC) and served as the base for both the industrial and political activities of the Australian labour movement until 1985.The place was the first Trades Hall to be built in Perth, and the first one to be built in Australia without Government assistance and is associated with the growth and development of trade unionism and labour movements of Western Australia. It is part of a group of significant places that includes the Western Australian Museum and former Art Gallery of Western Australia designed in the Federation Romanesque style, the former Swan Barracks and to the south the former Police Courts, now part of the Art Gallery of Western Australia and makes a strong visual contribution to this significant context. The place is a good example of a two storey masonry construction office building designed in the Federation Romanesque style.

Physical Description

Two storey building with symmetrical facade and simple parapet projecting. Full height central entry bay with a segmented arch. Arched window and triangular pediment with ornate floral decoration to the first floor. Rendered sills and architraves to windows which have elaborate timber framework to the ground floor.

History

Perth Trades Hall (1912) was designed as an office building for the state executive of the Australian Labor Party. It comprises 3 levels, 2 storeys above ground level and one lower ground level, and was the first purpose-built headquarters for the then Metropolitan District Council of the Australian Labor Federation (MDC).The building was constructed in 1911 as the office for the state executive of the Australian Labor Party. It was the first purpose-built headquarters of the then Metropolitan District Council of the Australian Labor Federation. This organisation represented the interests if the all the unions members in Perth and undertake administrative roles. The Trades Hall building was also to be used for lectures and as a meeting place for union members. The foundation stone was laid by the then Prime Minister Right Hon. Andrew Fisher PC in 1911 and was officially opened in 1912. The building was extended in 1923 with the official opening of the Unity Hall/Theatre which was used for official functions and social uses. A rear extension from 1934 was demolished for the high rise building Curtin House. During the 1980s the unions and Labor Party sold the building and the Delaney Gallery bought the building for use as an art gallery and office space. In 2013 the building was purchased by the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union of Workers (CFMEU) and was again used for its original purpose.

Integrity/Authenticity

High level of integrity as the place continues to be used for commercial purposes. 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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