Commercial Building

Statement of Significance

The place has historic significance as a commercial building constructed in the Inter-War period. It is a representative example of the change of the west end of Hay Street from residential to commercial character with the growth of the City. The parapet roof and pediment contribute to the streetscape.

Physical Description

Single storey commercial building with frontage to the street with classical motifs and major alterations to shop front. The back of the property includes a former.

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 this area was residential up until the 1920s. In that decade, many houses were either replaced with commercial buildings, adapted for that use, or became lodging houses, a reflection of the growth of the city. In 1925, the house at 1000 Hay Street was being used as a lodging house, run by Mrs A. M. Kelly. By 1929, a commercial building had replaced it, occupied by L. E. Sauzier, car importer, and Auburn Cars Ltd. The Metropolitan Water Supply Survey plan (1939) shows a simple rectangular planned building with a right of way on the east side. There is another warehouse at the rear of the lot, approximately the same size. Aerials show that both buildings remain and have not changed in size since 1948. In 1949 the building was occupied by Mellon, printers, and Car Wreckers Ltd. State Library of WA photos dated 1959 show the building was then occupied by A. G. Healing Ltd and was an electrical goods showroom. (113910PD; 113989PD). The shop front had double glazed doorways at each side of three fixed glass panes that extended almost to ground level. Above the doors and windows were a row of obscure glass paned top lights. The pediment was simple with a curved central pediment that featured ‘1000’ and ‘W.G. Healing Ltd’ as a painted sign. In 1982 the place was ‘Design House’ (311619PD). By this time the original shopfront has been modified with the loss of the entry doors at each end. The top lights appear to have been painted. From the street the side of the building is visible, indicating it was originally a face brick warehouse. Steel framed multi-paned windows are evident on the side elevation. At 2022 the front building is a furniture showroom.

Integrity/Authenticity

High level of integrity. Medium level of authenticity. Original early residence behind street facade.

Condition

Fair - Good

Uses

Creation Date

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