Local Government
Perth
Region
Metropolitan
772-776 Hay St Perth
Part of the Central Perth Precinct P15846
Perth
Metropolitan
Constructed from 1895
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | ||||
| Municipal Inventory | Completed\Draft | 13 Mar 2001 | ||
| 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 | ||
The place has historical 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 aesthetic significance as a Federation Free Classical style building and makes a positive contribution to the streetscape.
A two storey commercial building with parapet and prominent classical cornice. Facade embellished with pilasters and rustication and characterised by large window openings label moulds and key stones. Modern shop fittings and awning at street level.
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. During the 1890s and early 1900s the centre of Perth was substantially rebuilt. The period of expansion in Perth coincided with a period of economic depression in the eastern states, in particular Victoria. As a result, there was substantial migration from Victoria to WA. This migration included businessmen, architects and builders, all of whom had a considerable influence on the development of the city. Hay Street was established, along with St. Georges Terrace and Murray Street, as one of the main streets of Perth from the time of colonisation 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 the section between William and Barrack Streets became a mall in the 1970s. It is difficult to determine an exact date of construction, except to say that in 1895 the building was Nos. 148-152, occupied by Moorhouse & Co, shipping agents, the YMCA and Dowell & Co, manufacturers. The 1894 post office directory lists the YMCA in Hay Street, so the building could date from c. 1894, although it could have been rebuilt at some stage. By 1900 the building was numbered 550-554, occupied by Fowler Ltd, the YMCA, and Dowell & Co. In 1905, Drummond & Co were at No. 550, and by 1910 numbering has changed to 772-776, showing Drummond & Co at No. 772. No. 774 was James King, miller, as well as three off-street tenants (costumeries), and No. 776 was Goss & Co, acetylene engineers. The earliest aerial (1948) shows another building behind the Hay Street frontage. Over the years various tenants occupied the three tenancies, including sometimes, separate businesses upstairs than downstairs. One reasonably long term tenant was Adelaide Tailoring Co, and interestingly, tailors, clothing manufacturers and millers appear as tenants in the building for many years. By 1949 the Government Tourist Bureau was in No. 772 with Pellegrini’s at No 776. By 1965 the aerial photo shows the building to the west and the back portion of the building were demolished and by 1974 a multistorey hotel had been built. It was originally called the Town Hotel and Town Cinema. The whole two storey building at 772-776 was the WA Government Travel Centre in 1979. State Library of Western Australia holds two photos of the building at that time, which show it had a suspended steel awning over the street. This has since been replaced with a steel and clear curved awning that warps around the east side of the building. In 1999 the building was City Duty Free, and in the 2000s a different duty free shop. When this relocated to Perth airport in 2017 the building became vacant. At 2022 the building is for lease. The agent describes it as having a Basement: 304sqm, Ground Floor: 306sqm, and First Floor: 305sqm. The basement level has rear access for loading via Wolf Lane. Photos of the interior show that it is largely open space on both levels with little or no original features.
High integrity. High authenticity. Intact above. Original detail lost at ground level.
Good
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cons 4156/18 | Metropolitan Water Supply Survey Plans | State Records Office of WA | |
| Lease Equity website: https://www.lease-equity.com.au/property/503566418/. | |||
| Visual Assessment | |||
| 328886PD | Photo | State Library of Western Australia | |
| 320270PD | Photo | State Library of Western Australia | |
| Aerial Photographs | Landgate | ||
| Draft MHI | City of Perth | ||
| Post Office Directories | State Library of Western Australia | ||
| Google Streetview | 2007-2021 |
| Library Id | Title | Medium | Year Of Publication |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9638 | Forgotten spaces: upper floor activation in Perth. | Report | 2010 |
Individual Building or Group
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Present Use | COMMERCIAL | Office or Administration Bldg |
| Original Use | COMMERCIAL | Office or Administration Bldg |
| Other Use | COMMERCIAL | Shop\Retail Store {single} |
| Style |
|---|
| Inter-War Free Classical |
| Type | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Wall | BRICK | Rendered Brick |
| Wall | RENDER | Smooth |
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.