Commercial Precinct, Old Perth Road

Statement of Significance

• The streetscape has aesthetic value as a predominantly intact group of commercial premises in built in the first half of the 20th century. • The streetscape has historic value for its association with the establishment and development of the Bassendean townsite since the early 20th century. • The streetscape has social value for the community members who have visited these premises over many decades.

Physical Description

This group of commercial premises are predominantly brick, single storey structures with parapets and awnings over the footpath. Prominent two storey buildings are Padbury Buildings, Bassendean Hotel and the shop and residence at 42 Old Perth Road. The shop fronts at ground level have been altered and in some cases removed. The parapets are largely as the original form. The awnings are likely to have replaced verandahs and verandah posts. The other retail units present with a variety of frontages which have become obscured by advertising and security measures. Features include brick dado, rendered walls, double width entrances and large shop windows with top lights. The parapet to the end shops is more decorative with capping stones and rendered pilasters.

History

The Bassendean town centre was established and laid out as an extension of Guildford townsite in the 1840s but it was not until the 1890s that the town developed rapidly with the influx of workers during the gold boom period. The West Guildford Road Board was formed in 1901 which became the Bassendean Road Board in 1922, in recognition of one of the first farms in the district ‘Bassendean’ established by the First Colonial Secretary, Peter Broun. The town developed on either side of what was called the Perth Road and later, Guildford Road, which logically connected Perth to Guildford. This portion of the road name was changed to ‘Old Perth Road’ in the 1970s when Guildford Road was realigned. The Bassendean town centre was established and laid out as an extension of Guildford townsite in the 1840s but it was not until the 1890s that the town developed rapidly with the influx of workers during the gold boom period. The West Guildford Road Board was formed in 1901 which became the Bassendean Road Board in 1922, in recognition of one of the first farms in the district ‘Bassendean’ established by the First Colonial Secretary, Peter Broun. The town developed on either side of what was called the Perth Road and later, Guildford Road, which logically connected Perth to Guildford. This portion of the road name was changed to ‘Old Perth Road’ in the 1970s when Guildford Road was realigned. The date of construction of these shops has not been confirmed but is likely to be in the late 1920s as the style is consistent with this period and an item in the local press in May 1928 noted the following: Of recent years the shops originally erected have given way to the more modern brick buildings, and the main shopping street, Guildford Road is a street that any suburb would be proud of. The buildings in this group demonstrate periods of development in the former town centre from the 1910s to the 1950s.

Integrity/Authenticity

High Moderate

Condition

Fair to Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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