Busy Bee Arcade

Statement of Significance

The place is of aesthetic significance as an example of a commercial building constructed during the period of economic affluence and increased development that followed the gold boom.

The place is of aesthetic significance because it contributes to the visual quality of its location.

The place is of historic significance because it reflects the expansion and development of commerce and trade in the City of Perth in the early years of the twentieth century,

The place is a representative example of a mixed use commercial/residential building from the late nineteenth to early twentieth century in the area north of the railway.

Physical Description

External - Two-storey brick and iron commercial building on a prominent corner. Roof concealed behind parapet with triangular pediments and urns, and moulded panel details. The pediments contain moulded bee motifs, and the words 'The Busy Bee Arcade Estd 1891' on the parapet below the pediment.

Vertically proportioned timber sash windows are set in pairs across the street facades at first floor level. The facade has been painted in various colours, though portions of the original rendered parapet remain unpainted, revealing the original finish.

At ground floor level, the southern portion of the William Street facade has been clad in a flat panel, with two small metal-framed windows set into the wall. A cash point is located on this facade. Entry to the ground floor shop is via metal framed doors on both corners. Entrance to a second tenancy is located on the western end of the James Street facade.

Internal - The ground floor is one tenancy, with some evidence of the location of dividing walls remaining. Finishes and fittings are contemporary. On the first floor a single tenant occupies all rooms, with openings having been made to some internal walls to create larger spaces. Early ceilings with decorative cornices remain in two rooms, the remaining rooms have a contemporary fixed ceiling system. The layout and detailing suggest that it may have had a residential function originally.

The ground floor tenancy comprises contemporary finishes, although there is some evidence of the location of the original dividing tenancy walls. Original material is not immediately apparent but may be behind framed walls and ceilings. The first floor appears to have retained a large amount of materials (including ceilings and joinery) and planning that are original, or early.

History

The Busy Bee Arcade was constructed in 1894, and evidence suggests that it was designed by architect F.W. Upton and was the first 'shopping arcade' in Perth. Drawings suggest that the term arcade did not comprise a central arcade with shops opening off each side, but rather a row of shops in one building with openings off the same footpath.

The building was originally tuckpointed face brick with a rendered unpainted masonry pediment. Early PWD drawings show four tenancies facing William Street, with a central hallway and stairway leading to second floor offices. F.W Upton designed several buildings around Perth, including the Midland Town Hall which is listed on the state register of heritage places. It is believed that Upton also designed the nearby Rosen Buildings at No.218-220 William Street, Northbridge.

In the gold boom period the building was occupied by a butcher, baker and a bootmaker.

From 1915 until at least 1935 the building was used as a fish shop, tobacconist, fruiterers and greengrocer, bootmaker and a cafe. One tenancy was used by Wing, Hing and Co as greengrocer for over 20 years. During the post war period the building was used as a hairdresser, herbalist store, tobacconist and a chemist, and in the 1980s a cafe which was a gay meeting place.

1966 images show four shop fronts on William Street, all with tiled re-entrant shop fronts under a cantilevered awning. The James Street frontage comprises a number of shops, all with re-entrant doorways, and the canopy extending across both street frontages. At sometime the ground floor became one tenancy. No sign of an arcade is evident in these photographs.

Current tenants are the Busy Bee Pharmacy which occupies the entire ground floor, and The Tatt Shop which occupies the entire first floor and is accessed off James Street.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity (High)

Authenticity (Moderate)

Condition

Good

Uses

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.