Monash House

Parent Place or Precinct

02031 King Street Precinct

Statement of Significance

The place has historic significance as 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 style commercial building and forms an integral component of the Hay and King streetscapes. The evolution of the building with the adjoining Inter-War building at 31 King Street represents the expansion and development of commerce and trade in the City of Perth in the early years of the twentieth century.

Physical Description

826-834 Hay Street - Large two storey commercial building with parapet and decorative corner pediment. Facade distinguished by bands of stucco, label moulds and strongly modelled arched windows with fanlights, buildings addresses King Street corner and includes originally residential building behind. Awning and shop front not original.31 King Street - Single storey shop has parapet and pediment but has lost other details. Originally a motor garage.

History

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. The area around King Street was characterised by workers' cottages with shops, coal yards, smithies and foundries located in the adjacent areas of Murray and Hay Street. In the mid 1890s some smaller businesses began to establish themselves in existing cottages and a number of larger enterprises erected substantial new offices and warehouses in the area. Perth underwent a vigorous public works and corresponding expansion of commerce and trade, and by c. 1910 the centre of Perth was substantially rebuilt. During this period, the character of the area around King Street was established. Hay Street 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. In the 1990s King Street underwent a substantial programme of restoration and is now characterised by new uses including cafes, boutiques and professional offices. Post Office directories show that the building on the north west corner of Hay and King Street was originally 606-612, changing numbers in 1908. Businesses have been listed in this location since the post office directory was first published in 1893, but it is difficult to determine in what form. For example, in 1900 there is Hing Lee and Co storekeeper, on the corner, with Joseph Marks, tailor, and Gosney Bros, carpenters adjacent. The WA Sports Club was located at the first-floor level from 1903. This club was founded in 1902 and first met in a Hay Street building ‘opposite the Mechanics’ Institute’ which was on the corner of Hay and Pier Streets. (West Australian, 1 Dec 1902) In 1903 it was reported that “the committee of management of the Perth Amateur Athletic and Sports Club have found it necessary for the extension of the club to obtain larger and well-appointed rooms. It is proposed to take a new suite of rooms opposite the new theatre in Hay-street.” (West Australian, 22 June 1903). This is a good indication that the building at 826-834 Hay Street was built in 1902/03. The building style is in keeping with the Federation Free Style typical of commercial buildings constructed during the period of economic affluence and increased development that followed the 1890s gold boom. The former entrance on King Street has a stucco decorative label mould over the doorway that reads ‘Amateur Sports Club’. This doorway would have led to stairs to the upstairs space. The Metropolitan Water Supply Survey plan (1942) shows that Nos. 826 (corner entrance), 828 and 830 are small narrow tenancies, and that No. 832-834 is combined and extends to the full length of the lot. On King Street, there was a brick building (No. 31) which at that time was not joined to the Hay Street building. There was a corrugated iron fence along the street at that time. From the street the ground floor shopfronts of all buildings are not original, but the upper level elevations are intact, except for the window frames. The facade is distinguished by bands of stucco, label moulds and strongly modelled arched windows with fanlights. The 1999 Draft MHI states that behind the façade there is an original residential building, but this needs to be confirmed, as the Water Supply survey plan does not suggest a residence. The building at 31 King Street was originally a motor garage built in c. 1923. It was first listed in 1924 for E. J. Darley, motor agent. It is a single storey commercial building with a simple parapet and pediment; and a re-entrant door, still extant .At 2022 there are various modern ground floor shopfronts along Hay and King Streets, with a suspended non-original awning.

Integrity/Authenticity

High level of integrity. Medium level of authenticity as it has lost original detail at ground floor level but intact above.

Condition

Good

Uses

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

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