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Statement of Significance

The place is of aesthetic significance as a fine example of a two-storey rendered brick building in the Inter-War Chicagoesque architectural style. The place is of aesthetic significance as an example of a commercial building constructed during the Inter-War period. The building is of aesthetic significance for its design which reflects the optimistic and affluent period following World War One. The place is of aesthetic significance as part of a streetscape comprising eight commercial buildings dating from the early twentieth century. The place is of historic significance because it reflects the expansion of commerce and trade in the city between the end of World War One and the beginning of the Great Depression. The place is rare as part of a relatively intact streetscape of inner-city commercial buildings from the early twentieth century. The place is a representative example of a commercial building constructed in Perth following the end of World War One.

Physical Description

Contains a two storey rendered brick building constructed c.1930 in the Inter-War Free Classical architectural style. The building is flanked either side by rendered two storey buildings of similar scale. The floor level of the building is set above the street level, and the main entrance has been modified with the insertion of an entry ramp. Highlight windows from the basement run along the base of the building. The balanced proportion of the façade makes use of classical references, including stylised piers, entablature and vestigial pediment above the parapet. Stucco moulded horizontal banding is also used, and this traces the contours of the façade created by the piers. The first floor elevation of the building appears uncharged from its original design and is symmetrical above the middle entablature, which marks the storey division of the building. The timber casement windows used in this section also appear original, and are set below fixed highlight windows. The parapet of the building is separated from the lower facade through a horizontal double line of stucco moulding, set forward from the plane of the main façade, and supported by block-line brackets. The parapet echoes the geometry of the first floor elevation and uses rectangular perforations to break up the recessed planes. Due to the narrowness of Queen Street, the corrugated iron gambrel roof, which sits higher than the parapet of the street façade, cannot be seen from the Queen Street level. The original structure of the horizontal awning, which is set below the story division, is clad with non-original fabric which mars the overall impression of the structure. The entrance of 16 Queen Street has been modified with the insertion of a concrete ramp into the building.

History

There was a rapid growth in the population of Western Australia and an increase in development in the city of Perth as a result of the prosperity from the 1890s goldrush. Many of the residential buildings located in the inner city near Queen Street were replaced with commercial buildings during this time. Queen Street was first established as a private road in the early 1890s and was acquired by the City of Perth in the late 1890s. The acquisition provided more land close to the railway which could be developed. As the railway, completed in 1881, overtook the river as the primary transport method the west end area including Queen Street, King Street, west end of Murray and Hay Streets and part of Wellington Street became the location of warehouses and commercial buildings due to their proximity to the railway. Between World War One and the beginning of the Great Depression during a time of economic prosperity more commercial buildings were constructed in the inner city.

Integrity/Authenticity

High level of integrity. Medium level of authenticity.

Condition

Fair

Uses

Creation Date

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