Victoria Hotel

Statement of Significance

The place has historic and social significance as a former hotel serving the residential area that developed around Hay Street, Rokeby Road and the Subiaco Station in the first decades of the twentieth century. It has aesthetic significance as a substantial building on Hay Street with landmark qualities. The adaptation of the building by architect Michael Petroni in the 1980s is significant as an example of the way in which a building can be reinterpreted over time, although this, together with earlier and subsequent alterations, have reduced the authenticity of the place from its original intention.

Physical Description

Two storey commercial building with verandahs. Painted brickwork with large windows on the lower storey. Stone framing (?) to large window on left of building not original. Small timber double hung windows with rendered sills on the upper storey. Metal grille columns to verandah. Gables to verandah roof not original. Painted face brick chimneys with decorative corbelling and twin terracotta pots. Ball finial to parapet wall. Colorbond (?) roof . Arched decoration under gutter.

History

The second hotel in Subiaco, its trade was boosted when the Subiaco Football Club relocated to Mueller Park from Shenton Park. It was originally a plain brick, factory-like building, of red brick and iron, with street verandahs. The building was adapted by architect Michael Petroni in the 1980s. (Ref: Spillman, Ken, Identity Prized: A History of Subiaco, City of Subiaco, UWA Press, 1985, pp. 186-189; Ball, J., Statewide Survey of Hotels 1829-1939, National Trust, 1997.) Subiaco began to develop as a residential and commercial area in the 1890s, with the first buildings being established along the railway line. In 1895 Rokeby Road was not yet gazetted and Hay Street was called Broome Road. By the turn of the century most of the main roads in central Subiaco were built, including Rokeby, Heytsebury, Hamersley, Bagot, Townshend, Park and Nicholson Roads. Many businesses had been established in Broome Road. Broome Road was named after Governor Broome, and was renamed Hay Street after Vice-Secretary of Colonies, 1829. There were many land releases in the late 1890s and early 1900s as Subiaco become a popular place to settle, and businesses were attracted to the opportunity of opening in a new but stable suburb. The Rokeby Road and Hay Street commercial area was firmly established by 1915. Over the years the nature of businesses have changed. Originally there were estate agents, dressmakers, tailors, confectioners, drapers, grocers, restaurateurs and bakers; in fact most shopping could be done without leaving the suburb. (Sources: Wise's Post Office Directory 1893-1915; Real Estate Maps, Battye Library Collection; Spillman, Ken, Identity Prized: A History of Subiaco, City of Subiaco, UWA Press, 1985, pp. 92-110; Chate, A. H., History of Subiaco, c1952.)

Uses

Historic Themes

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