Attunga Flats, Subiaco

Statement of Significance

Attunga Flats, Subiaco (1937), a purpose-built slender, three-storey block of flats constructed in brick and render with a metal roof, designed in the Inter-War Art Deco style, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: • the place is a rare and intact 1930s purpose-built slender, three-storey block of flats that clearly articulates its use as a multi-dwelling residence; • the place is associated with Claude A de Bernales, who owned the General Construction Co, the company that built and owned the property; • the place is a fine example of the Inter-War Art Deco style applied to a low tower block; and, • the place has a very high degree of authenticity with highly intact interiors.

Physical Description

• Attunga Flats, Subiaco (1937) is a purpose-built slender, three-storey block of flats constructed of rendered brick, with a metal roof, designed in the Inter- War Art Deco style. It incorporates elements from both the Inter-War Art Deco and the Inter-War Functionalist architectural styles, however its overall design (both exterior and interior elements) most closely adheres to the Inter-War Art Deco style. • The off-white Tyrolean rendered south east elevation faces Thomas Street and has a rendered symmetrical façade with a central recessed section and three curved cantilevered balconies on each side. Each balcony has strip windows with incised decorative horizontal lines below. The balcony windows are timber but contain no glass. They are faceted around the curve with glass louvres. The ground floor windows have a timber lattice to provide privacy and security. There is a decorative exposed tapestry brick panel on the inside curve of the balconies, adjacent to the central section. • The central recessed section of the façade contains a tall narrow clear leadlight window with a geometric Art Deco pattern, two storeys in height that serves the central corridor/stairwell. The ground floor is raised approximately 1 metre above street level and is accessed from central timber doors leading from concrete steps. Flanking walls are mainly rendered, with two decorative panels of brick at ground floor level. The letterboxes are located within the dwarf walls on either side of the path. • The front façade features Art Deco decorative elements, such as the area above the top balconies which has a zig-zag frieze. Above the recessed central area is a stepped parapet. This elongated space features a zig-zag motif above the front entry doors, above which is a shield decorated with chevrons, and above the shield is the tall leadlight window and the parapet is an elongates scroll motif. A small sign with the word ‘Attunga’ is located below the first floor window on the left bay. • The side and rear elevations are red face brick with timber sash windows and no decorative details.

History

At the time of its construction of these flats, the land was owned by General Construction Company Limited, and the original building plans show that the building was designed for a Mr Dorman, possibly an employee of the Company. The building is thought to have been designed by Marshall Clifton, but evidence has not been found to confirm this. General Construction Co Ltd was established in Western Australia in 1936 by Mr Claude A de Bernales. De Bernales was a successful mining entrepreneur who established the construction company to undertake ‘high class work’ with ‘the finest materials’ by ‘expert workmen and designers’. Marshall Clifton was a prominent Western Australian architect from the early 1930s until his death in 1975. Architectural histories identify Clifton as a key practitioner of the Inter-War Spanish Mission style,12 however his architectural legacy demonstrates his style as one of great variety, often employing elements of different styles in each building project. Construction of the flats was completed by the end of 1937, and the first tenants are recorded in 1939. The first tenancies probably coincided with the change of ownership, which occurred in July 1939, when the General Construction Co Ltd was liquidated and Attunga Flats, Subiaco was sold to Hilda Muriel Watkins. The following year, in 1940, the flats became known as ‘Attunga Flats’. Very few alterations have occurred to Attunga Flats, Subiaco since its construction. A high degree of its original fabric remains intact, including kitchen and bathroom fixtures and fittings. In 1994, Attunga Flats, Subiaco was recognised on the Art Deco Significant Buildings Survey, and in 1995 it was added to the City of Subiaco’s Municipal Heritage Inventory. In 2010, the original timber fire escape, located to the rear of the building, was replaced by a modern, steel framed structure.

Condition

Based on a streetscape inspection the building appears to be in a good condition.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

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