Avro Hospital

Parent Place or Precinct

26077 Salisbury and Rupert Street Heritage Area

Statement of Significance

2 Nicholson Road, Subiaco is of cultural heritage significance for the City of Subiaco: • For the long-term association of the overall site with Frederick and Agnes Jacoby, who were a prominent business family in WA (primarily associated with well-regarded hotel businesses) and who also played a primary role in successfully lobbying for the construction of Lemnos Hospital for the care of returned servicemen suffering from mental illness. • As a landmark collection of buildings which have been well-known over time as a hospital/medical facility. • As a significant site for the history of women in the local community, with reference to its management as a hospital by a series of women over at least 3 decades, and as a place of employment for local women in the roles of nursing, cleaning and cooking. • For its social significance for the families of those who were born, treated or died here following its conversion to a hospital in 1922. The 1918 building on the corner of Nicholson Road and Salisbury Street is of particular significance: • For its landmark values as a good example of an early Inter-War era bungalow, located on a prominent corner site. • For its historical and aesthetic values as an example of the residential work of William Wolf, an architect who is highly regarded for his design of His Majesty’s Theatre and Hotel in Hay Street, Perth. • As a representative example of a well designed and detailed “gentleman’s villa” of Subiaco dating from the early post-WWI era, and for the evidence it provides about the style and standard of the development that took place in the elevated locations near Kings Park – an area that had been established in the early twentieth century as an suited to the more affluent residents of Subiaco. • As a representative example of the adaptation of large late-nineteenth and early-twentieth century residences as private hospitals in the inter-war years. • As one of several private hospitals established in Subiaco in the inter-war years, illustrating the importance of the relatively central location, ‘healthy’ environment and proximity to public transport that the suburb offered. The 1936 building fronting Nicholson Road is of additional significance: • As an example of a purpose-built medical facility that illustrated the on-going success and development of one of Subiaco’s inter-war era private hospitals.

Physical Description

‘Balquidder’ (191 Thomas Street) Architectural style • The surviving detailing indicates that the house was designed in the Federation Queen Anne style. This relatively large house was designed to a scale suitable as a family home for people such as successful businessmen, senior professionals and senior public servants. Plan form at the street frontages • Asymmetrical, stepped façade with main frontages facing south, south-east and east (with the latter two designed with large openings to take advantage of views across Thomas Street to Kings Park). The plan form included a prominent half-hexagonal bay on the south-eastern side. This may have originally formed part of the main entrance or have featured a large corner facing window. However, the wide opening to the central panel has been partly bricked up, obscuring the original design intent. • When the house was advertised for sale in 1919 it was described as having “8ft. verandahs”. The surviving detailing suggests that the main ‘front’ verandah would have originally wrapped around the east, south-east and south sides, but this is no longer extant. Roof form and materials • Hipped-gabled roof clad with terracotta tiles with remnants of decorative terracotta ridge capping. • Large decorative gables to shallow projecting wings on the south and east sides. Each of these has a rough cast rendered face set with vertical timber battens; a tall turned timber finial; robust timber brackets along the projecting bottom edge; and carved bargeboards with a timber button detail. • Louvered gablets to the highest (east-west) ridgeline, finished with tall turned timber finials. • Four chimneys with rendered moulded caps and painted (originally tuck-pointed) faces. Wall materials and finishes to the main (south; south-east; and east) elevations • Painted (originally tuck-pointed) brickwork. • One smooth rendered stringcourse at window sill height (now painted). Other detailing to the main elevations • Four double hung windows with moulded rendered sills along the south and south-west sides of the house. • Several former door/window openings that have been blocked up with plywood. • Physical evidence that at least 2 openings on the south and south-east sides have been partially blocked up to create openings that are smaller than the original. • Later, low-level, flat-roofed verandah and patio structures along the eastern elevation, cutting through the height of the original openings. Note: alterations to the exterior have obscured the design and location of the original main entrance. Other • The southern side of the place has been heavily landscaped to the verge and around the carpark along the eastern end of Nicholson Road. This area includes a large Camphor Laurel tree, which is a prominent streetscape element. • Part of the eastern (Thomas Street) yard is now enclosed by a curved masonry block wall that forms an enclosed courtyard. General condition • The house is partially boarded up and is surrounded by temporary fencing which displays “Danger, Keep Out” signs. The surviving original detail that is visible from the street appears to be generally in a fair condition commensurate with the age and unoccupied nature of the place. ‘Avro’ Architectural style • Inter-war Bungalow. This relatively large, architect designed, house was designed to a scale suitable as a family home for people such as successful businessmen, senior professionals and senior public servants. Plan form at the street frontages • Asymmetrical, stepped façade. • Main entrance facing the corner of Nicholson Road and Salisbury Street. This features a prominent projecting porch with low, rock-faced stone piers supporting tapered timber columns. • Verandah with matching piers and columns extending along the full length of the original west elevation and for a short distance along the south elevation. Note: when the house was advertised for sale/lease in December 1921, the entrance porch and verandah were noted as follows: The tiled piazza and verandah supported by massive jarrah columns being a special feature. • Prominent rectangular window bay facing Nicholson Road. • Two shallow rectangular window bays under the western verandah. • Two storey wing facing Salisbury Street Roof form and materials • Hipped-gabled roof clad with terracotta tiles, and featuring terracotta dragon finials. • Large rough-cast rendered gable, set with a simple pattern of vertical and horizontal battens, over the window bay to the south elevation. • Large rough-cast rendered gable, set with a simple pattern of vertical and horizontal battens, over the front of the entrance porch. • Battened eaves. • Raked roof to the west verandah, extending in a broken-back alignment from the main roof line. • Two robust chimneys, each with painted (originally tuck-pointed) brick to the square base, roughcast render to the tapered upper half, and a painted (originally face brick) capping course. Wall materials and finishes to the main (west and south) elevations • Painted (originally tuck-pointed) brickwork below a projecting single-brick course at mid-wall height. • Roughcast rendered brickwork above the string course. • Contrasting smooth rendered surrounds to the door and window openings (above the string course only). These have distinctive Inter-War detailing, with tapered sides that curve out at the top to form projecting corners. Entrance porch and verandah • Rendered and battened frieze panels along the sides of the projecting porch (complementing the detailing of the gable end). • Decorative carved ends to the main rafters. • Main entrance located at the angled corner at the back of the entrance porch. This has a 2-panel door with simple rectangular leadlight glazing to the upper panel. Wide sidelights on either side have a simple floral motif framed by textured glass set in simple rectangular panels. • Large double hung window to the wall projecting out on the northern side of the entrance. • Concrete finish to the floor of the projecting porch (described as a ‘tiled piazza’ in the 1921 description). • Short southern verandah. • Return verandah across the stepped western facade. • Verandah floor finished with narrow timber boards. • Ceiling of porch lined with narrow timber boards. • Ceiling of verandah unlined. Other detailing to the west elevation • The west façade features two large openings set in shallow rectangular bays. These were each designed with a triple window over deep timber base panels. The original detailing appears to have featured a central double hung window, flanked by side hinged casement windows. The latter were designed with diamond pattern leadlight to the upper ¼ and rectangular pattern leadlight to the lower section. The detailing to the southern window is largely intact but the northern window has been modified and partly boarded up. • Large air-conditioning units mounted on the wall between the two windows. Other detailing to the south elevation • The short southern verandah has a large double hung window at the eastern end. On the northern side a high level window to the entry vestibule features a stained glass window illustrating a country scene with what has been described as an ‘Avro’ aeroplane flying above. • On the eastern side of the southern verandah the façade steps out with a rectangular window bay. This has a tapered rock-faced stone base, a stepped brick sill, and a raked and tiled window hood with carved timber brackets. The large opening is set with 4 vertically proportioned windows with rectangular highlights over, but the detailing has been altered over time. Two storey wing • A two storey wing abuts the northern end of the western elevation (facing Salisbury Street). This was clearly shown in a 1930 photograph of ‘Avro Hospital’ and it seems likely that it was the ‘upstair sleeping out accommodation’ (sic) described when the house was advertised for sale/lease in December 1921. • Brick and rendered brick ground floor façade (matching that to the main part of the building). This features two standard double hung windows with plain rendered sills (matching those to the secondary eastern elevation). • Timber-framed first floor with exposed framing and a mixture of flush panels and scalloped timber louvres facing west and south. • Rough cast rendered gable with a large louvred vent. Note: it has not been determined if this was part of the original design of the house or if it was an early addition. At that time sleep-outs (which were often located on partially enclosed verandahs) were a popular means of dealing with Perth’s hot summer nights. General condition The building appears to be generally well maintained and in a sound condition commensurate with its age. 1936 hospital building Architectural style • This building was carefully designed to complement the external detailing of the c.1918 building, adjacent. Plan form at the street frontages • Asymmetrical, stepped façade facing Nicholson Road. This features a small projecting wing on the western side of the main facade and a projecting central porch. The porch has been detailed to complement the 1936 building, however no front porch or verandah can be seen on the 1965 or 1989 aerial photographs. The current porch appears to date from the early to mid 1990s. Roof form and materials • Hipped-gabled roof clad with terracotta tiles, featuring terracotta dragon finials. • Large rough-cast rendered gable, set with a simple pattern of vertical and horizontal battens, over the projecting wing on the western side of the main facade. • Large louvered gablet vent to the front of the central N-S ridgeline. • Large rough-cast rendered gable, set with a simple pattern of vertical battens, over the projecting wing towards the rear of the east elevation. • Single chimney towards the rear of the building, with detailing similar to the chimneys of the c.1918 house. Wall materials and finishes to the main (south) elevation • Painted brickwork (originally face brickwork) below a projecting brick string course at mid-wall height. • Roughcast rendered brickwork above the stringcourse. Other detailing to main facade • Central entrance, featuring a pair of high-waisted double doors with a rectangular highlight over. The glazed panels to the door and highlight all have rectangular pattern clear leadlights. • Small top-hinged window to the east of the main entrance, glazed with rectangular pattern clear leadlight. • Window openings framed by smooth rendered tapered surrounds, detailed to complement those to the c.1918 house. • The window bay on the western side of the main façade, detailed to complement the nearby, south-facing, window bay of the c.1918 house. It has a low, tapered, rock-faced stone base, a stepped brick sill, and a raked and tiled window hood with carved timber brackets. The large opening is set with 4 vertically proportioned windows but the detailing has been altered over time. Detailing to side (east and west) elevations • The east elevation includes a series of French doors towards the front of the building (all with boarded-up highlights), and a slightly projecting gabled bay towards the rear. The latter has a large window opening set with 4 casement windows with square highlights over. • The west elevation has a series of double hung windows and has been detailed and finished to complement the facing (east) elevation of the c.1918 house. General condition The building appears to be generally well maintained and in a sound condition commensurate with its age.

History

No development took place in this general locality until late 1891, when Perth Suburban Lots 278, 279, 280 & 281 were subdivided as Deposited Plan 353 (later referred to as DP 2808). This subdivision included 138 building lots, with frontages to Heytesbury Road, Thomas Street, Nicholson Road, Rokeby Road, Mackay Street (later renamed as part of Rupert Street), Paterson Street (later renamed as part of Salisbury Street) and Finlayson Street. These were progressively sold from December 1891 (many to eastern states investors), but construction on these sites was initially slow. A plan dated c.1902 shows that, while the Rokeby Road frontage had been largely developed by that time, only about 15 buildings had been erected along the other frontages - none of which were located along Nicholson Road. The subdivision included 6 lots along Nicholson Road in the block between Salisbury and Thomas Streets, being Lots 96 to 101. By c.1908, the three lots closest to Thomas Street (99 to 101) had been acquired by Agnes Jacoby (nee Wilson)(c.1863-1943), the wife of Frederick (‘Fred’) William Jacoby (c.1872-1954). Frederick Jacoby was born in South Australia and moved to WA in 1891, together with his parents and siblings. Frederick had taken over Jacoby’s Hotel in Murray Street, Perth, by the mid-1890s and he remained in the hotel trade for the rest of his life. Over time he was directly associated with Jacoby’s Hotel/Bohemia Hotel, Murray Street, Perth (c.1895-1904); Reservoir Hotel/Goldfields Weir Hotel, Mundaring (c.1898-1953); Ardath Hotel, Ardath (c.1925 until at least 1937) and the Council Club Hotel in Midland Junction (c.1928-1938). He also had a rural property at Mundaring, known as “Greystone” (c.1899-1913). In June 1897, Frederick married Agnes Wilson and this couple had three children: Frederick ‘Wilson’ Jacoby (c.1898), Agnes ‘Elfrida’ Jacoby (c.1899) and ‘Jack’ Mathieson Jacoby (c.1901). During the early-mid twentieth century, the Jacoby family maintained city residences at 191 Thomas Street, Subiaco (c.1908-1918), 2 Nicholson Road (c.1918-1922) and 5 Harvest Terrace, West Perth (c.1923-1954). However, Mundaring appears to have been their primary place of residence until the early post-WWI period and at various times they also resided at or near their other hotel businesses. The Jacoby family built a new house, known as ‘Balquhidder’, on Lots 99-101 in c.1908 and in 1909 the Western Australian Post Office Directories listed Frederick W Jacoby as the primary occupant of a house in this location, as well as of the Goldfields Weir Hotel. At the same time, Agnes Jacoby was listed as the primary occupant of ‘Greystone’, Mundaring. By 1910, Agnes Jacoby had also acquired lots 96 to 98 and, according to the Subiaco Rates Books of that year, this parcel of land had an unimproved value of £215, while the house and land on lots 99-101 were valued at £1000. Despite the relatively high value of the residence it continued to be occupied on a part-time basis only and by 1915, it had been subdivided with a flat: FLAT TO LET. Part nice furnished house to let, facing King’s Park, owner frequently away. 109 Thomas-st., cr. Nicholson-rd. By 1918 a new Jacoby family residence was being constructed on lots 96 to 98 and the house at 191 Thomas Street was advertised for sale in mid 1918-mid 1919: GENTLEMAN’S Residence for Sale, large rooms all conveniences, facing King’s Park. 191 Thomas Street. [June 1918] and FOR PRIVATE SALE. A first-class Brick RESIDENCE, 7 rooms, 4 large, 100ft. frontage, superior built House, wide entrance hall, high ceilings, 8ft. verandahs, garage, stable, vines, every convenience, liberal terms if required. Apply to OWNER, 191 Thomas-st, corner of Nicholson-road. No Agents. [July 1919] However, it does not appear to have sold at that time and was rented out to a series of relatively short-term private tenants until at least the mid 1930s. The new house, which was designed by William Wolf, architect, and named ‘Avro’, was originally referred to as 4 Nicholson Road, before being re-numbered as 2 Nicholson Road in c.1922. It was first listed in the PO Directories in 1919 and by late 1920 had been occupied as the family’s primary place of residence: Mr Fred W. Jacoby, after 16 years as licensee of the hotel at Mundaring Weir, has retired from the business, and with Mrs. Jacoby and the family is living at “Avro”, Nicholson Road, Subiaco. However, it was being offered for sale or long-term lease by December 1921: GENTLEMAN'S RESIDENCE: On account of illness in family Mrs. Fred. Jacoby will give Long Lease or Sell her magnificent House, Avro, 4 Nicholson-rd., high position, delightful view, facing King's Park. Spacious reception hall, dining room, drawing room, and bedrooms, breakfast vestibule, upstair sleeping out accommodation, bathroom, linen room, storeroom, and cellar, garage, workshop, and laundry. The tiled piazza and verandah supported by massive jarrah columns being a special feature. Open French tiled fireplaces, furnished with costly oak overmantels. The building was designed by W. Wolf, Esq., Architect, and built by day labour, under personal supervision. There is no evidence of a second floor to the main part of the house. The fact that the 1921 advertisement referred to “upstair sleeping out accommodation” therefore suggests that the two-storey wing fronting Salisbury Street had been constructed while the place was still being occupied as a private residence. The decision by the Jacoby family to leave their Subiaco home may have been a result of the ill health their son, Wilson, experienced as a result of his overseas service during WWI – which led to his hospitalization in 1922 and committal to Claremont Asylum in late 1923. Wilson’s mental health and treatment also provided the impetus for Frederick Jacoby to take a leading role in advocating for improved care for “mentally impaired” returned servicemen. In July 1926 a picture of Frederick was published in the Sunday Times with the following citation: Mr F. W. Jacoby. Whose activities in bringing under public notice the plight of mentally afflicted returned soldiers at the Claremont Hospital for the Insane over 18 months ago resulted in the erection of "Lemnos," the new mental home at West Subiaco, which was opened last Monday. By June 1922 Avro had been leased out and adapted as a private children’s hospital named Hamel House: An interesting little function took place yesterday afternoon to celebrate the opening day of Hamel House, Sister Lovell’s lately acquired private hospital for children, so called after Australia's first great victory at Hamel, on the battlefields of France. Is most charmingly appointed. An artistic color scheme of blue and brown is introduced in all the rooms, whilst dainty white muslin curtains adorn the windows, and a variety of pictures representing nursery rhymes and fairy stories appear on the walls, giving a cheerful and homely atmosphere. There are spacious verandahs, overlooking green lawns and pretty flower beds, and altogether Hamel House is a very delightful spot. Yesterday all the rooms were gay with bowls of roses, and more beautiful blooms adorned the tea table in Sister Lovell's sitting room, where she dispensed tea [to the guests] ….. Dr. Officer in a happy speech referred to the sterling qualities and high esteem in which Sister Lovell is held in the nursing profession, and expressed, the sentiment of all the guests when he congratulated her upon her beautifully equipped hospital, and wished her every success in the future. Sister Lovell saw active service both in Egypt and in France, and for many years has been associated with the Children's Hospital. From the mid 1920s these premises operated as a general hospital, under the names Kiama Private Hospital (c.1925-1930) and Avro Private Hospital (c.1930 to post 1949). In c.1935, 191 Thomas Street was occupied by John Turtle Bell (c.1864-1935) and Emma Jane Bell (c.1866-1945), the parents of Sister Edith Mabel Bell, who was the matron of Avro Hospital for many years. The Electoral Rolls identified Emma Bell as a resident of the house until the time of her death, and another daughter, Evelyn Mary Bell, was still living here in 1949. However, from 1938 the house was listed in the Post Office Directories as part of the hospital and it appears to have also been used for nurses quarters from around that time. In 1936, “alterations and extensive additions to the Avro Hospital, Nicholson-road, Subiaco” were designed by Jack Learmonth Ochiltree, architect, on behalf of Agnes Jacoby (who was still the owner of the property). These works were described as providing accommodation for 14 additional patients and the contract was let to Messrs Nissen and Mills for a sum of £1,490. No further information has been found regarding this building campaign, but it seems likely that it included the single storey building between ‘Balquhidder’ and ‘Avro’ (noting this building had not been constructed when a photograph of Avro Hospital was taken in 1930). The place has continued to be used for medical purposes since that time and in 1980 lots 96 to 101 were resurveyed as lot 926 and designated as a ‘C’ Class Reserve under the Minister for Public Health (now known as Lot 333 on Plan 52347, Reserve No 36490). During that decade the place was adapted as a community health centre and outpatient psychiatric clinic. Much of the site continues to be used by the State Government for medical purposes in 2018, but the former house at the corner of Thomas Street and Nicholson Road is now vacant and boarded-up.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity • c.1908 building at the corner of Nicholson Road and Thomas Street Medium: The original use has been altered over time (and the building is currently vacant), but its residential nature is still clearly evident through interpretation of the fabric. • c.1918 building at the corner of Nicholson Road and Salisbury Street Medium to High: The original use as a residence (which only lasted for a few years) has been altered, but is still clearly evident through interpretation of the fabric. The primary historical use (as a medical facility) has continued from 1922 through until the present day. • c.1936 building fronting Nicholson Road High: The primary historical use (as a medical facility) has continued from 1922 through until the present day. Authenticity • c.1908 building at the corner of Nicholson Road and Thomas Street Medium to Low: The roof form and detailing is largely intact and the general design can still be interpreted at close inspection, but the original external detailing and finishes of the main facades have been partly obscured. In particular, the authenticity of the building within its streetscape setting has been reduced by the painting of the main façade; the removal of important verandahs; alterations to window/door openings; and the patio/courtyard extensions along the eastern side. • c.1918 building at the corner of Nicholson Road and Salisbury Street Medium: The authenticity of the building within its streetscape setting has been reduced by the painting of the original tuck-pointed brick detailing, modifications to some of the primary window openings and the intrusive location of air-conditioning units. However, a considerable amount of original detailing remains intact and the original design can still be readily understood. • c.1936 building fronting Nicholson Road Medium: The authenticity of the building within its streetscape setting has been reduced by the painting of the original face brick detailing; modifications to the main front window; and addition of the southern entry porch. However, a considerable amount of original detailing remains intact and the original design can still be readily understood. Rarity/Representativeness • c.1908 building at the corner of Nicholson Road and Thomas Street Low: Extensive alterations have diminished the value of this place as a representative example of a Federation Queen Anne villa. • c.1918 building at the corner of Nicholson Road and Salisbury Street Medium to High: While this place has undergone some alterations over time, in its form and surviving external detailing it remains a representative of a large early Inter-War era bungalow. It is also a good representative example of the adaption of some of Subiaco’s large houses as private hospitals in the 1920s and 1930s. • c.1936 building fronting Nicholson Road Medium to High: this place represents the construction of a purpose built inter-war medical facility which was carefully detailed to compliment the residential character of the main hospital building, adjacent.

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