COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 1 JAMES STREET

Statement of Significance

Commercial Building, 1 James Street, has historic significance for its associations with original owner, Hugh Victor McKay (1865-1926), a manufacturer of farm machinery and engines, and the inventor of the Sunshine Harvester. It is representative of industrial warehouse building associated with the Fremantle Port. It has aesthetic significance for the contribution it makes to the Fremantle Port streetscape.

Physical Description

Commercial Building, 1 James Street, is a single storey rendered and painted former warehouse building situated on the corner of James and Beach Street. The facade has simple stepped parapets and engaged pilasters. There are apartments at the rear.

History

In May 1914, Metropolitan Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage plan shows the lots on Beach Street and James Street vacant. In the Register of Building Plans approved and passed by Council, a warehouse to the value of £4,600 was approved on 18/10/23 for H V McKay, Beach Street. This information is also confirmed by the council rate records, for in 1920-1922 the land is vacant, while in 1923-24 an office and warehouse is in the process of being built. H V McKay, Prop Ltd. manufactured farm machinery and engines. Their Beach Street premises were used as bulk stores and to assemble equipment that was shipped or railed from Victoria. When seventeen years old, Hugh Victor McKay (1865 - 1926) conceived the idea of inventing a machine that would strip, thresh and clean grain in one operation. Using and adapting parts from old strippers and innowners, McKay and his brother completed a working model by February 1884 and took out a patent in 1885. In 1891 McKay opened a workshop in Ballarat. He continued to improve his machine and the demand increased until he was employing 400. McKay then moved to a site outside Melbourne and the town that grew up around the works became known as Sunshine. His harvesters also became known as Sunshine Harvesters. At the time of his death in 1926 he controlled the largest agricultural-implement manufactory in the south hemisphere. The Beach Street warehouse was sold in 1926-27 to William Haughton & Co Pty Ltd, wool buying brokers, merchants and insurance agents. The place continued to be used as a wool and skin store until 1982, with later occupants including W.J. Hughes Pty Ltd, Wool Dumpers WA Pty Ltd, and F.R. Blakiston Pty Ltd. The latter extended the place; on 13/3/69 the company submitted an application to Council (No. 5430) for office extensions and toilet block. According to building department records this work was completed in 19/9/69. In 1984 the building was vacant. A 1987 report describes the building as brick and corrugated iron, with one portion having a saw-tooth roof and another a gable roof. By 1986 the place was occupied by a group called ‘Women in Work’, which aimed to generate employment for disadvantaged groups. The Group was founded by Patricia Watson. Women in Work operated a wool salvage operation and craft centre. They vacated the place in 1991. In 1994 the warehouse was vacant and some sections were in poor condition. Approximately two thirds of the floor area was single storey, and the remaining rear portion being double storey, with the ground floor level higher than the floor level of the adjacent single storey section. The place is described as having brick walls to the street facades and timber framed and sheeted walls elsewhere.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium degree of integrity (original intent partially clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability). Medium degree of authenticity with some 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

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update