House (fmr)

Statement of Significance

The place has aesthetic significance as a substantial Federation Queen Anne, two storey residences built in 1896. It is an example of a mansion on the outskirts of Perth occupied by the wealthier class and reflects the development of West Perth as a prestigious residential suburb. The place is representative of the changing character and growth of the city, being former residential properties that have undergone a change of use to apartments, and then to commercial/professional offices. Despite the visual intrusion of the high boundary wall, the place makes a significant contribution to the streetscape of which it forms an integral component. It is a rare surviving grand residence on Hay Street that has become increasingly commercial since WWII.

Physical Description

Two storey building with hipped roofs with brackets under eaves. Verandah of timber construction under separate bull nose roof. Loss of original doors & windows. Awning is not original.

History

West Perth developed as suburban residential area in the late 1890s. From its inception it had the characteristics of a quality neighbourhood. The West Perth end of Hay Street was predominately prestigious homes, taking advantage of Hay Street’s proximity to the city and King’s Park (then known as Perth Park). 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 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. In the 1920s and 1930s, many property owners in West Perth were taking advantage of the location and demand for housing by renting out rooms. If this was the case, private homes would be listed as lodging house, boarding house, flats or apartments. Sometimes large houses would actually be converted into flats or apartments. The house at 1202 Hay Street was built in 1896 and was originally No. 832. In 1897 the main occupant was John S. Read. The house was called ‘Staplehurst.’ Read was Vice=President of the Perth Stock Exchange, and among the elite of society. After his wife Florence died suddenly in the house in 1898, at age 42, her funeral was attended by soon to be Premier, Sir John Forrest, as well as a number of other parliamentarians and dignitaries. Numbering changed in 1908, along with the tenant, who was then Dr. E. Paget Thurston. A website for one of the 2022 tenants of the building, Chieftan Securities, refers to the building as Emerald House. It reads: “Emerald House has strong connections with the iconic West Australian entrepreneurial community. The building was originally a private dance studio but by the 1940s had become a boarding house. The historical site was transformed into an office building by the late 1980s and housed many top firms including leading Perth corporate law firm Blakiston & Crabb (recently acquired by Gilbert & Tobin).” It should be noted that the place was not originally a dance studio, as stated above. However, from 1923 to 1925 the place was divided into two, and Miss M. Kilminster, a dance teacher was occupant at 1202a Hay Street. In 1930, as was typical of many large houses in West Perth, the house was operating as apartments. The Metropolitan Water Supply Survey plan (1953) shows the house set well back, and it has four separate brick additions or structures on its east side, hard up against the boundary fence. There was no boundary fence at the rear and the lot continues to three properties at 7-8-9 Mayfair Street. Aerial photos show these were demolished between 1985 and 1995, and this space became a carpark. This area is still one lot. At 2022 there are several tenants in the former house, which is used for professional offices.

Integrity/Authenticity

Low level of integrity. High level of authenticity. Original in form but has lost original detail.

Condition

Very Good

Uses

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update