Shops

Statement of Significance

• The place has aesthetic value for the remaining form and detail of the front elevation of the three shop fronts demonstrating elements of the Inter War Stripped classical style. Any internal details that remain from the original construction are likely to reflect this style.
• The place has aesthetic value as a landmark in the Mends Street streetscape and as an element in the original civic centre of South Perth.
• The place has historic value for its association with the development of South Perth in the Inter War period and specifically the development of this civic hub.
The place has social value for its continuity of form, and use as a retail premises since the early 20th century.

Physical Description

The Shops: 16-20 Mends Street comprise small scale shops situated on the eastern side of Mends Street.

The parapet wall above the windows has characteristics of Federation Free Style architectural design, but few other elements of the Shops: 16-20 Mends Street appear to be original. The windows are large ‘flat’ arched picture windows. Decorative wrought iron brackets support the cantilevered bull nosed verandah.

History

From the mid-1880s, there was slow but appreciable growth in the number of residents in South Perth and within ten years it had become a well established suburb. In 1892, the South Perth Roads Board District was formed. In October 1898, the Zoological Gardens opened and commercial services followed to serve the visitors and residents to South Perth. Mends Street was the logical civic hub of South Perth and the later construction of the mechanics institute, police station, post office and roads board offices confirmed this area as the main civic and shopping precinct for the district.

From the readily available information these premises were built in c1924 and the first occupant was James Abell operating a tea rooms on the site. In 1925 the adjacent premises were vacant and the following year were occupied by long term tenant Miss G. M. North, a draper.

The owner and builder of these premises have not been confirmed however an advertisement in the local press in March 1924 suggests they may have been designed by architect Edgar Le B Henderson. The invitation for tenders from contractors is for 'the erection of two brick shops and residence at Mends Street South Perth'. Although not conclusive, the advertisement demonstrates the type of building activity in the district in this period.

James Abell and his wife Lizzie lived and worked at the premises, believed to be 16-18 Mends Street until the early 1940s. Miss G.M. North had her draper's store within the premises of 20 Mends Street until the late 1940s. It is not clear if Miss Draper lived on the premises as the electoral rolls do not record her living in South Perth during this period.

City of South Perth records show that Lot 10 (No. 16) Mends Street included a house, probably located behind a shop. An additional lounge room was approved in 1951 and a sleepout was approved in 1959 for Mrs O D Scurry. The residential portion of the building was converted to a ‘take-away food restaurant’ in 1972. At the time, it was identified as 16B Mends Street by Builders A Towers and Sons. The take-away (pizza) bar was located at the rear of the Shops: 16-20 Mends Street and had access only at the rear of the building, but also retained access internally to the other tenancies by means of a passageway.

In 1984, Architects, Hobbs Winning Leighton and Partners undertook alterations and renovations of the shops on both Lots 9 and 10 (Nos. 16-20) Mends Street, creating 6 independent tenancies – three facing Mends Street, one facing the right-of-way and two at the rear of the building. This work involved demolition of considerable portions of the building down to the footings. It also resulted in the removal of most of the interior walls of the former dwelling, eliminating the former interior access between tenancies. Since that time the place continues to have been used for a variety of tenancies.

Integrity/Authenticity

Moderate / Moderate

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.