Windsor Theatre and Commercial Building

Child Places

• 13669 Commercial Building, Nedlands
• 01831 Windsor Theatre, Nedlands

Values

The place is a fine example of a pair of commercial buildings designed in the Inter-War Functionalist style, one of several ‘modern’ styles that characterise suburbs that developed in the 1930s, such as Nedlands.

The place has been a landmark on a major arterial route since it was constructed, particularly the Windsor Theatre with its central tower.

The contributed to the ‘modern’ identity of Nedlands at a critical time in the suburb's development.

The Windsor Theatre is an excellent example of a purpose-built inter-war cinema, constructed in the Inter-War Functionalist style, which demonstrated several innovative elements into its design.

The Windsor Theatre set a new benchmark in large cinema design and was the finest in the Nelson cinema circuit which stretched around the state.

The Persian Carpet Gallery is a well-designed and detailed example of a modest commercial/residential building in the Inter-War Functionalist style

The Windsor Theatre is a fine example of the design work of Baxter Cox & Leighton and is associated with William Leighton who was well known for his cinema and theatre designs.

Physical Description

Description Windsor Theatre (1937) A two-storey Inter-War Functionalist style cinema in an asymmetrical building, which incorporates a prominent vertical tower, partially curved façade with balcony, horizontal banding, and main entrance canopy. Persian Carpet Gallery A two-storey Inter-War Functionalist style brick commercial and residential building, externally rendered with textured plaster and inlaid with panels of tapestry bricks. Functionalist details include the curved corner parapet with its geometric motif and terracotta ‘portholes’ along the northern and eastern first floor elevations.

History

Following the discovery of Western Australian Gold in the 1890s, the suburbs closest to the capital, such as Nedlands, experienced a dramatic increase in population due to the unprecedented rise in migration to the State. Development continued during the first decades of the Twentieth Century, with the extension of Perth’s tram services through Subiaco along Broadway to Nedlands Park and another tramline direct from Perth along Mounts Bay Road. The construction of the Nedlands Park Hotel in 1908, the jetty and the Crawley Baths, established Nedlands Park as a popular recreation area for the people of Perth.1 Construction ground to a halt during the First World War, however, it was quick to recover with many ex-servicemen and their families settling in the area with the aid of War Service Loan Schemes. Significant development occurred during the Inter-War period, with an increasing number of houses being constructed, as well as recreational and sporting facilities, schools and churches. This period also saw an increased reliance upon motorised transportation, particularly along major routes such as the Perth to Fremantle Road, which was renamed Stirling Highway in 1930.2 During the 1930s several notable buildings were constructed along Stirling Highway in ‘modern’ architectural styles in keeping with this ‘modern’ suburb, including Nedlands Post Office (fmr), Windsor Theatre, the Persian Carpet Gallery, and Renkema Buildings. The Inter-War Functionalist-style Windsor Theatre was constructed in 1937 to a design by Baxter, & Cox, although it is widely believed that Windsor Theatre was designed by William Leighton. Leighton had experience in designing cinemas elsewhere in Australia and was recruited by Baxter & Cox in 1936. The original plans for Windsor Theatre are signed Baxter & Cox, although Leighton publically claimed the design was his.3 and by the time the Windsor Theatre opened in 1937, the firm had been renamed Baxter, Cox and Leighton.4 During the 1930s, the popularity of cinemas entertainment grew in Perth and around the state, as a visit to the theatre was seen as an inexpensive form of escape from the depressed economic situation of the period.5 Windsor Theatre was opened by the Chairman of the Nedlands Road Board, well known architect, W G Bennett. The building provided both an indoor auditorium, as well as an outdoor picture garden, each which seated up to 800 patrons.6 Baxter, Cox and Leighton was also responsible for the design of several other picture theatres in the Metropolitan area, including P2404 Cygnet Cinema, Como (1938); P2425 Astor Theatre, Mount Lawley (1914); P2454 Regal Theatre, Subiaco (1936); and P3613 Plaza Theatre (fmr) & Arcade, Perth (1937). The Windsor Theatre was part of a chain of picture theatres operated Mr E. P. Nelson. Nelson owned one of the largest ‘moving picture circuits’ in the state. He sold his interests Kalgoorlie-Bolder, Wiluna and Northam to focus on other areas including Perth and Bunbury. Other theatres owned by Nelson were the Lyric Theatre, Bunbury; the Princess Theatre, Bunbury, The Princess Theatre, Claremont, the Lyric Theatre, Katanning and theatres in Nedlands and Swanbourne.7 The Windsor Theatre was built after Nelson and his family took a world tour, that included the ‘Continent’, America and England,8 to gather information on ‘modern trends’ in picture theatre design9. Nelson had gradually been improving the quality of his theatres,10 but he returned from his overseas trip with the ambition of building a better suburban theatre to the public. At the time of its construction, Windsor Theatre set a new benchmark in theatre design. It was built using a variety of modern materials including a ‘Fibrolite’ (corrugated asbestos) roof and included neon signage. The Theatre had the most up to date Benbow projectors and Shadotone sound equipment. 11 There were further innovations inside. The theatre’s seating was raked on one level, which was unusual for a large cinema as these had historically been designed on more than one level. The one-level design of was based on theatres in Melbourne and Sydney. The auditorium walls were ‘specially treated with the latest process’.12 Reviews of the Windsor Theatre consistently mentioned how modern all its features were, from its elaborate external design to its fixtures and fittings.13 The opening of a cinema, particularly a purpose built cinema, was a major event in Perth during the 1930s14. The opening of the Windsor Theatre was extensively covered in the press. For example, the Daily News ran a two-page spread about the opening of the Windsor Theatre. Firms that had been involved in the fit out also advertised at the same time, as well as businesses that were located nearby.15 In 1937, on a site adjacent to Windsor Theatre, a commercial building, which is now known as Persian Carpet Gallery, was constructed also to the design of W.G. Leighton. The building was noted as ‘harmonising with the surrounding architecture’ and a ‘handsome addition to the buildings of a progressive suburb’.16 It comprised three shops with residential accommodation behind and above. Like the adjacent Windsor Theatre, it was marketed for its up-to-date styling and design. The finish was noted as decorative and modern and again the use of modern materials was highlighted in articles about the place, such as the use of ‘Lintol’ (a plastic floor covering like linoleum but considered more durable).17 The opening of the commercial building was also covered in detail in the Daily News. Other, non-theatrical, buildings known to be associated with W.G. Leighton are P11932 Canning City Council Administration Centre and Site, Cannington (Hobbs, Winning & Leighton, 1971); Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Lesmurdie (Hobbs, Winning & Leighton, 1975). In 1965, the Windsor Theatre underwent modernisation, and air-conditioning was installed. Fewer patrons used the picture gardens after the air-conditioning was installed, and in 1988 the picture gardens was replaced with a second indoor theatre.18 Windsor Theatre continues to function as a cinema today (2013). In 2013, the Persian Carpet Gallery functions for commercial purposes. It is not known if the first floor is still used for residential purposes.

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