House, 1 Harvest Terrace, West Perth

Values

• The place is a representative example of a residence constructed 1893 in the suburb of West Perth, home to many prominent members of society during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and repurposed for offices in latter part of the twentieth century.
• The place demonstrates interior elements of the Federation Queen Anne architectural style and is located on the northern approach to Parliament House, on the high side of Harvest Terrace where this road ascends Mount Eliza from Hay Street, which gives the building visual prominence.
• Used as a residence for party members, the place is associated with first term of office for the Labor Party in Western Australia.

Physical Description

The place is a building of single storey masonry construction with hipped corrugated iron roof with roofs of low pitch and spreading eaves. The property was originally designed in the Federation Queen Anne Style with a projecting bay window and wide verandah, which historically was decorated with ornamental timber frieze and posts. During the inter-war period the property was extended to enclose the verandah resulting in obstruction of the original frontage when viewed externally. A rear extension was also added to the building likely around this time.

The external frontage of the property includes rusticated limestone plinth foundations, simple detailing and overall unpretentious style. The property is positioned to the eastern end of the lot facing Harvest Terrace and is elevated from the street with access via a series of steps running alongside the front façade. A painted rendered masonry wall with iron railings runs along the southern boundary of the lot facing Parliament Place. The rear half of the property contains hard standing for six car parking bays accessible from Parliament Place.
The majority of the house is comprised of painted white brick apart from the front boundary wall to the street that is of limestone blocks and the front gable which has timber frame with flat render infill panels. Windows, doors and eaves are of timber construction. Internally the house is laid out along a central corridor running east to west that leads from the front entry to the rear with rooms organised along this axis. It appears to be well finished with some period features remaining such as ceiling roses, cornices and fire places. Original timber joinery of skirtings, doors and architraves remain in many of the rooms.

History

The area of West Perth has long been recognised as a prestigious and favoured location owing to the high ground and commanding views that result from its positioning next to Mount Eliza in Kings Park. Kaarta Cumba, the Noongar name for Mount Eliza, is an important place for Whadjuk Noongar people due to its use as an early hunting and camping ground prior to European settlement. The area has significant ceremonial and spiritual associations, which continue to be recognised through relevant men’s and women’s places today. These areas, which extend into West Perth, are registered Aboriginal Heritage Sites.

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

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