Parkview Private Hospital (fmr)

Statement of Significance

The place has cultural heritage significance: • As a good representative example of a well designed and detailed “gentleman’s villa” of Subiaco dating from the early 20th century. • For its aesthetic value as a good representative example of a well-designed Federation Bungalow villa of the early 20th century, designed to a style and scale suited to the professional/business classes. • For its association with the provision of hospital services in the suburbs of Perth in the Inter War period. • For its aesthetic contribution to a largely intact group of early twentieth century houses. • For its association with the ongoing development of Subiaco in the early 20th century period.

Physical Description

• Large Federation style bungalow. • Hipped roof with gablet and finials, clad in terracotta tiles, continuing down with slight break of pitch to form the verandah canopy supported on slender Tuscan style columns. • Casement windows. • Brick and render chimneys. • Asymmetric plan form with gabled projecting wing. • Garden enclosed by high boundary wall with mature planting.

History

Subiaco's population increased significantly in the 1890s due to an economic depression in the eastern states and the discovery of gold in Western Australia. In the late 1890s, property developers bought large landholdings for subdivision in the Perth metropolitan area. The subdivisions were generally simple grid pattern developments with small lots for occupancy by working families. Subiaco was a popular and logical location for development and the increase in population and demand for services led to the proclamation of Subiaco as a municipality in 1897. The area that is now known as the ‘Subiaco Triangle Precinct’ attracted the construction of a range of dwellings, including timber cottages, semi-detached houses, two to three bedroom free-standing brick dwellings and substantial villas. The subdivision plan for this portion of Barker Road and Thomas Road was approved in 1891 but development did not accelerate until the 1900s. From the readily available information this large residence was built for civil servant William G Byrne. He lived there with his wife and two daughters until 1933 when the family settled in Wembley. The property was then adapted as a private maternity hospital, 'Parkview' which was managed by the follwing women until its closure in 1950: • Miss Eliza McGregor Whyte (1934) • Mrs K Fisher (1935-1939) Sister K. Fisher, with her two sisters Maisie and Ada Jones, is taking over the Parkview Maternity Hospital, Thomas-street, West Perth, on May 7. • Matron E M Westwood (1940-1944) In 1940 tenders were called for brick additions to the premises. At that time the matron's full name was actually Ethelline Margaret Inez Stuart Heath, but it is known that nurses of that era sometimes used a former surname for professional purposes (possibly relating to the name on their nursing registration papers) • Sister Dvorestsky (1945-c.1947) • Matron Jessie Marjorie Shirley (c.1947-1950) When the property was offered for sale in April 1938 it was described as follows: PARKVIEW, No. 105 THOMAS-STREET, SUBIACO. OPPOSITE KING'S PARK. SUBERIOR BRICK RESIDENCE. IN THE ROOMS WARWICK HOUSE MODAY, APRIL 4, At Three o'Clock. HODD. CUTHBERTSON and NORTH. LTD, have received instruments from the OWNER to SUBMIT to PUBLIC AUCTION as above:- A portion of Perth Suburban Lot 245 and being Lots 134 and 135 on depositied plan 352 C/t Volume 364 Folio 1978. THE LAND has a frontage of 100 links to Thomas-street by a depth of 174.4 links to a r.o.w. THE IMPROVEMENTS include that faithfully-built Tiled Roof Brick Brick Residence on high stone foundations, wide entrance hall, staircase, six large rooms, kitchen, large attic sun parlour, domestic offices, et. Now let on short lease. Ideal proposition for Modern Flats. However, despite the suggested new use, it continued to be operated as a maternity hospital until 1950, when the high cost of operations forced its closure: CLOSURE OF HOSPITAL Matron Blames Living Costs High living costs and acute staff shortages had forced her to relinquish thelease that she had held of the Parkview Maternity Hospital, said the former matron of the hospital (Matron J. M. Shirley) yesterday. The hospital, situated at Subiaco, realised £5,500 at a public auction in Perth on Wednesday. Matron Shirley said that an adequate staff for the hospital, which had accommodated at times 12 persons, consisted of two trained sisters, two assistant nurses, a cook, laundress and housemaid. During the past year, however, her staff had consisted of a casual sister, a cook and a housemaid. As the staff had each weekend off she had been compelled to do the washing and cooking and to attend to her patients by herself. She had advertised for casual sisters to help her during the weekend, but had received a poor response. Staff wages had risen as well as living costs, the matron said. In 1947 when she had accepted the lease of the hospital the wages of an assistant nurse had been about £2/11/ a week with keep. Now, however the wage was about £4/11/. In the matron's estimation, the cost of the running the hospital had trebled itself during the past three years. The advertisement for the auction of the place described it as follows: VACANT POSSESSION. BRICK TILED RESIDENCE. FACING KING'S PARK. No. 105 THOMAS-ST. EIGHT ROOMS, 2 BATHROOMS. IN OUR ROOMS. 63 ST. GEORGE'S-TER. At 3 o'clock p.m. HODD, CUTHBERTSON AND NORTH PTY. LTD. has been instructed to sell by PUBLIC AUCTION as above. Lots 134 and 135 of Perth Suburban Lot 245 on plan 352 comprised in C.T. 364 Pol. 197, having a frontage to Thomas-st., Subiaco, near Kings's Park-rd., of 66ft. By a depthof 115ft. to a right of way from Bafot-rd. substantially built brick Residence of 7 commodious rooms, 2 bath rooms, sun room, large vestibulte with staircase, wide verandah and an upstairs dormitory or sitting room. This house should lend itself to subdivision into Flats. There is a block of flats next door. The property faces King's Park and with 4 lines of bus transport within hailing distance and the charm of the Park just across the road, we doubt whether any city in the English-speaking world has a more attractive proposition. With vacant possession on offer at this particular time. The keys are in our office and prospective buyers may inspect any time by appointment. The aerial photographs from the middle of the 20th century indicate that there have been no significant changes to the form or extent of the place since then.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity - High: The place continues to be used as a private residence. Authenticity - High: much of its fabric in its original state.

Condition

Based on a streetscape inspection the building appears to be in fair to good condition.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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