Metropolitan Coffee Palace

Statement of Significance

The place has some aesthetic value as an example of the Federation Free Classical style which has had few alterations The place has historic value for its association with the development of hotels and retail businesses around Perth train station. The place has historic value as an example of a coffee palace which provided an alternative accommodation to public houses that served alcohol. The place is a rare extant example of a coffee house in Perth which has had little alterations over time. It also provides evidence of the expectations of rental accommodation in the late 1890s as shown in the size of the rooms. The place is representative of the architecture of the late 1890s.

Physical Description

The Stirling Street façade is symmetrical with Classical motifs such as pediments. The bricks have been rendered and painted. It has decorative mouldings around the four windows which extend to the pediment on the far left and right windows. The decorative elements have been painted a blue colour to contrast with the yellow paint of the rest of the façade. The main front door opens to a long hallway which leads to the rear of the building. The floor of the hallway has been carpeted over timber floorboards. Rooms are located on each side of the hallway. The ceiling is high with little decoration. There have been some modifications to this interior space.

History

The “Metropolitan Coffee Palace” operated from 18 Stirling Street from 1897 to 1939/1940 according to the Wise’s Post Office Directories. The business was one of 5 in Perth in 1897. Coffee houses were first established in London in the mid 1600s as a place where all classes of men could meet and share ideas. Coffee palaces became popular in Australia in the 1880s as an alternative to hotels serving alcohol which was in response to the worldwide temperance movement which advocated against the consumption of alcohol. They were advertised as upholding family values and had accommodation which catered to families. Advertising included cheap but good food cooked on the premises, games and newspapers for patrons. As a result of the gold rushes in Victoria, New South Wales and later Western Australia there was increased prosperity which led to more development and visitors to the capital cities. The Perth train station opened in 1881 with the completion of the Eastern railway from Guildford to Fremantle. The location of the train station influenced the establishment of hotels and retail businesses within walking distance which influenced the location of the Metropolitan Coffee Palace. It was frequently advertised in the Kalgoorlie and Coolgardie newspapers for visitors to Perth. Its location within minutes’ walk of the train station was a feature of the advertising. An article in The West Australian on 3 July 1897 noted that the proprietor Mr W Thomas wanted people to know that the building is comfortable. In 1932 it was advertised as “good accommodation for visitors including families.” The business had many proprietors and from 1897 to 1909 this changed yearly. The proprietors with the longest tenancies were from 1909 to 1914 and 1921 to 1927. There is little information about the internal configuration of the rooms while the coffee palace was in operation. Newspaper articles which report on the sale of the building give some information on the number of rooms available to rent at the property. In 1929 the building was sold and comprised of 32 rooms. This was a slight reduction to the 40 rooms plus billiard room which was reported in 1905. In 1905 there were 12 coffee palaces in Perth, including another at 31 Stirling Street. By 1920 this had dropped to eight. The Brittania Hotel, 245-265 William Street and Grand Central Hotel, 379 Wellington Street are two buildings still extant which were used as coffee palaces in Perth. The Grand Central hotel has been significantly modified over time. These buildings, as well as other examples in Fremantle are similar in style to 18 Stirling Street as they have a plain façade in the Classical style. Several other coffee palaces were located on Wellington Street such as the Rechabite and Victoria coffee palaces. In December 1939 The West Australian newspaper reported that the (G.L.E.) Grand Lodge of England Club Royal Ancient Order of Buffaloes were located at 18 Stirling Street. Also known as Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes. This is a men’s club that provides aid to its members, their families and other charitable organisations. The Post Office Directory lists the Department of the Army as the occupant of the building. It was used for this purpose until at least 1949 when the available Post Office Directory records end. After World War Two the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes may have reoccupied the building as captions of photos taken in the early 1980s refer to this use. In 1990 the building was renamed The Coffee Palace and was the location of The Multicultural Shared Workspace Inc. Today some rooms are tenanted with alternative health professionals.

Integrity/Authenticity

Low level of integrity. Medium level of authenticity.

Condition

Fair - Good (there are some cracks in the facade and parapet)

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update