Solicitor's Rooms (fmr), Bunbury

Statement of Significance

Commercial Building (fmr), 99 Victoria Street, a two storey rendered brick and tile, has cultural heritage significance because: from 1910 until c 1925, it was the office of prominent Bunbury solicitors' firm, Stanley, Moore and Money; the design has been attributed to J J Talbot-Hobbs and is a good exmample of his work; the place is a good example of the Federation Free Classical style of architecture, contributes to the streetscape and has landmark qualitiies.

Physical Description

Solicitors Office (fmr), 99 Victoria Street is a two storey rendered masonry and tile building designed in the Federation Free Classical style of architecture. The walls are rendered and painted brick and the roof is hipped and clad with terracotta tiles. The front façade is symmetrical with a central front door with arched protruding rendered canopy flanked on either side by timber framed double hung sash windows with side lights and arched fanlights. There is a distinctive rendered architraves surrounding the windows and door. The upper level has a central double hung sash window flanked on either side by pairs of double hung sash windows.

History

The office building at 99 Victoria Street was built in 1910 for the WA Bank and was initially leased to a firm of solicitors. In 1890, Mr Stanley purchased a solicitor’s practice from Mr Sisson, and in 1893 he joined a partnership with Mr Money. Although Stanley retired in 1895, the practice continued to use his name. By 1896 Stanley and Money had offices in Wellington Street, and then moved into offices in the new Western Australian Bank at 101 Victoria Street. In 1910, a new building was built next to the WA Bank (where there had been a cottage previously). The design has been attributed to the solider-architect, Sir J J Talbot Hobbs and it was leased to Stanley, Moore and Money. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the design was based on a building in Boston, Lincolnshire, where lawyer Griffin Cant Money trained as an articled clerk. Stanley, Moore and Money operated from the building until c. 1925 when the firm broke up. Later, the firm of Eastman and Jenour operated from the former Stanley, Money and Walker offices. In November 1988, ownership of the building was transferred to the Lotteries Commission and the office building at 99 Victoria Street and the former bank building at 101 Victoria Street became known as Lotteries House. The main offices of various charitable organisations and community groups shared accommodation at Lotteries House, including the Bunbury Christian Education Council, the Bunbury Community Legal Centre, the Bunbury Youth Accommodation Service and Pregnancy Help. The groups have their own offices but share tea and bathroom facilities and counselling rooms. Extensive renovations were completed in 1992. The Bunbury Community Group acquired ownership of 99-101 Victoria Street in January 1994. At this time, the group was one of those occupying the building. It continued to lease space to various charitable organisations. In 2013, Western Australia Bank (fmr) and Solicitor’s Office (fmr) continue to accommodate a variety of community organisations including the Bunbury Housing Association; Volunteers South West; Bunbury Community Legal Centre; Association for the Blind; Bunbury Community Group Inc; Bunbury Migrant Resource Centre; Conservation Volunteers Australia and South West Emergency Care.

Integrity/Authenticity

High degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability). High degree of authenticity with much original fabric remaining. (These statements based on street survey only).

Condition

Condition assessed as good (assessed from streetscape survey only).

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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