Annabelle’s Antiques

Statement of Significance

The place has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:
• For its historical value as one of five surviving examples of pre-World War One corner stores in the City of Subiaco (constructed c.1903-1913).
• Although it has undergone some modifications, the place remains as good representative example of a traditional, early twentieth century corner store with an attached residence.
As evidence of the provision of retail services which, at a time well before supermarkets, motor cars and household refrigerators, provided important access to day-to-day essentials such as bread, milk, general groceries, fruit and vegetables.

Physical Description

54 Nicholson Road is a single storey rendered brick building with a corrugated steel hip roof designed in the Federation Free Classical style of architecture. The store is located on the corner of Nicholson Road and Coolgardie Street. The building is splayed at the corner with a zero setback and a parapet wall above. The parapet is rendered with flat pilasters, moulded capping and ball finials across the top. The end two finials are comprised of traditional stucco urns with decorative fruit detailing. The splayed corner features a sign that reads ‘Annabelle’s Antiques & Collectables’. There is a corrugated steel skillion awning to the corner that returns along Coolgardie Street. The awning is supported below by decorative steel brackets. A timber framed door with a stained-glass highlight addresses the building’s splayed corner. On either side of the corner there are large fixed timber framed shop front windows with stained-glass highlights. The external walls are rendered to lintel height with a rendered string course banding and painted brick finish above. Adjacent to the front door is a plaque that reads ‘Annabelles’.

Attached to the rear of the shop is a residence which extends along Coolgardie Street. The residence has a recessed entry along the western elevation with a corrugated steel skillion verandah supported by turned timber posts with a decorative lace valance. The verandah is enclosed with a timber lattice and a decorative timber gate with matching lace detailing. The attached residence has a two-storey painted brick addition extending to the north. The rear of the property is enclosed by a limestone fence approximately 2000mm high overgrown with dense ivy. Mature jacaranda trees are planted along Nicholson Road and continue along Coolgardie Street largely obscuring the place from the street. The place is serviced by a rear laneway.

History

This is one of the oldest surviving corner stores in the City of Subiaco, having been established as a newsagency and stationery shop by 1906.

A review of the Post Office Directories at five yearly intervals provides the following information about the occupation and use of the shop until the mid-twentieth century:
• 1906: Newsagent & stationer, Edmund W. Read
• 1910: 52 – Bootmaker, Henry P. Stacey (1st listed in 1907)
54 – Newsagent & stationer, Edmund W. Read
• 1915: 52 – Dressmaker, Miss A. Goldring
54 – Newsagent, Charles J. Mitchell
In 1919, the shop at #52 was advertised for rent:
LOCK-UP SHOP, counter, shelving, electric light, good opening for ham and beef, dairy, produce, shoemaker, tailor, dressmaker, etc,. rent 10s. 52 Nicholson-rd., Subiaco.
• 1920:52 – Store, F. A. Fagan
54 – Newsagent, James H. Dennis
• 1925:52 – Confectioner & cool drinks, Mrs M. Clark
54 – Newsagent, F.F.A. Jeskie
• 1930:52 – Mixed business, William H. Carter
54 – Newsagent, William Watt
At that time the business owned by William Clarence Golding Watt was listed as one of three newsagencies in Subiaco:
Three newsagencies are conveniently situated. In Nicholson-road is W. Watt's newsagency and the Coghlan-road Newsagency serves the other end of the district. In the main shopping area of Rokeby-road Road is situated Merritt's newsagency.
• 1935: 52 – Mixed business, Mrs E.M. Perry
54 – Newsagent, William Watt
• In 1936 the owner of the property (as opposed to the owners of the two businesses) was recorded in a newspaper report as Mr W.A. Vellacott of Riverdale.
• 1940: 52 – Mixed business, Mrs E.M. Perry
54 – Newsagent, William Watt
Mrs Perry offered the mixed business at 52 Nicholson Road for sale in 1944:
PROFITABLE Mixed Business, small lock-up shop, present owner retiring after 12 years, health reasons. Apply 52 Nicholson-rd, Subiaco. No agents.
• 1945: 52 – Mixed business, Mrs E.M. Perry
54 – Newsagent, William Watt
• 1949: 52 – Vivienne Ladies Hairdresser
54 – Newsagent, William Watt

No.54 was still operating as a newsagency in 1953 (the year in which William Watt died, aged 48 years):
AUTHIORISED Newsagency, lease available, 6 or 12 months, compact round. Experienced man preferred. Apply in writing to Manager, c/o Watt's Newsagency, 54 Nicholson-rd., Subiaco.

The readily available evidence (including a glimpse of the verandah in a newspaper photograph dated March 1936) indicates that the present-day awning was previously a raked verandah set on timber posts. The height at which the verandah met the wall was lower than present, springing from the projecting brick course.

The door to the second shop (No.52) has been removed, but the spacing of the window mullions suggests that this was located on the western side of the shopfront.
The corner store (No.54) had windows overlooking both streets. The second smaller shop (No.52) had a large display window overlooking Nicholson Road.

The residence to the rear was extended to the north with a two-storey addition added in the late 1990s. The relationship between the original house and shop is still clearly evident.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity - High
Authenticity - Medium-High

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):

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.