Commercial Building

Statement of Significance

Commercial Building, 9 Victoria Street, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: • Although modified the place's aesthetic values contribute to the Victoria Street streetscape. • The place helps to illustrate the development of the northern end of Victoria Street as a focus for activities associated with the port.

Physical Description

Commercial Building, 9 Victoria Street, is a single storey rendered masonry building with a concealed corrugated steel hip roof displaying characteristics of the Inter-War Stripped Classical style of architecture. The building has a symmetrical form with a zero building line set back to the street. The front elevation has a simply detailed rendered masonry parapet. There is evidence on the parapet of former decoration as well as some minor cracking. The ground floor facade has a central front door flanked on either side by single timber framed, vertically proportioned windows. Above the windows is applied decoration with a flat rendered cornice, rendered brackets and raised pilasters. The footpath is utilised for a covered alfresco area and there is a mature verge tree. There have been later additions to the rear of the property.

History

At the beginning of the 1890s, Bunbury had a population of only 572. By the end of that decade, the population had risen to 2,970 – reflecting the rate of increase experienced by the colony as a whole following the discovery of significant gold deposits. This was matched by improvements in infrastructure, including the opening of the Perth to Bunbury railway line in 1893 and significant development of the port. From this time on the town developed not only as an important regional centre, but also as a seaside tourist resort. Despite the adverse impact of war and depression, Bunbury continued to experience residential and business development during the Inter-War era, and the population reached around 6,000 in 1939. The ongoing development and consolidation of the town over time continues to be reflected in its local heritage places. In 1912, the Bunbury Brewery Company’s land holding on Bunbury Town Lots 309 and 310 (including lots 1, 3, 4, 5 & 6 on diagram 1541) were offered for sale by the company’s liquidators – at which time much of the site, including lot 4 (9 Victoria Street), was still vacant. One or more of these blocks were reported to have been sold to Messrs Spencer and Edwards, and it is possible that this included Lot 4, which was listed as being owned by Spencer and Edwards in the Rates Book of 1926/27. At that time the place included the offices of Captain Ralph Rowland (‘Rowly’) Edwards (master stevedore) and William Edward McKenna (clerk/shipping agent). By 1930 the office of Johnston & Lynn (shipping agents) was also identified on this site. Entries in the Post Office Directories show that Edwards had business premises in Victoria Street from c.1916 until around the time of his death in 1940. While a street number was not provided it is possible that 9 Victoria Street was constructed as shipping offices at the beginning of this period. A photographic view over the rear of the building, dated 1927, shows that the parapet had a stepped triangular form, with a curved apex, rising just above the alignment of the gabled roof. This form was still intact in a similar view dated 1948. In 1936, Bunbury underwent a major reallocation of street numbers which resulted in the property changing from 124 Victoria Street to its present address of 9 Victoria Street. In 1936, the Bunbury Employment Agency was advertising at this address, while in 1949/1950 it was advertised as the registered office of George Smith Lumber Co Pty Ltd. As of 2022, the place is occupied by Market Eating House, a fine dining restaurant. The restaurant has occupied the building since 2015.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity - Medium Authenticity - Medium Date of survey: 2/01/2022

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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