Shop

Statement of Significance

It was associated with Italian migration to Australia in the first half of the twentieth century, and particularly the Luisini family. The place has historic value as it reflects the economic changes in Western Australia, particularly the gold boom of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and as it represents a continuity of commercial use for over a century, which has resulted in a moderately intact built form. The place has aesthetic value as a simple Federation Free Classical building contributing to the visual qualities of the moderately intact streetscape. The place contributes to the community's sense of place as an integral part of the Northbridge district, providing hospitality and nightlife facilities, and more specifically for its association with the Italian community.

Physical Description

Grapeskin Bar is a double-storey brick and iron commercial building with roof concealed behind a rendered masonry parapet with projecting moulded cornices, and a cantilevered metal-clad box awning with Grapeskin Bar painted on the front. The front elevation has been heavily modified, retaining little original fabric and currently and comprises an asymmetrical contemporary design with central metal-framed double doors flanked by metal-framed glazed roller door and tall, narrow metal framed display windows. The facade retains a pressed metal ceiling and soffit to the awning. The ground floor is fitted out as a bar and was refurbished in the late twentieth century. The second floor contains toilets and administrative spaces and has contemporary finishes. The simply detailed parapet mouldings recall other buildings on William Street, including No. 219-221, No.167-181 and No. 279 William Street on the western side, and No. 182-184 and No. 270-272 on the eastern side, together creating a consistency of aesthetic presentation. It retains some original finishes, including pressed metal ceilings and concrete floors which have been incorporated into the decor.

History

The Northbridge area was a series of lakes and sandy swamps prior to colonisation. This area was used for market gardens from the 1830s. c.1845 William Street extended north from Wellington Street to Ellen Street (now Newcastle Street) and was named Hutt Street. Although aligned with William Street to the south, passage was not possible through Gooloogoolup (Lake Kingsford) to Hutt Street at the time. In 1873 the lakes were drained and in the late 1870s work began on the Fremantle to Guildford railway line with the Perth railway station constructed on the drained site of Lake Kingsford. In the late 1880s Hutt Street was on the periphery of the town with few buildings. The gold rushes of the 1890s had a profound effect on the state's economy and Hutt Street was one of the many streets of Perth that was heavily developed as a result. In 1897/8 Hutt Street was renamed William Street and by the turn of the century William Street south of Aberdeen Street was a busy commercial district. The construction of the Horseshoe Bridge in 1903 had a major impact on the role of William Street as an arterial road. A mixture of commercial, cultural and 'immoral' activities formed William Street's character. The present diverse social, cultural and commercial mix is a continuation of the character established around the turn of the century. Evidence suggests that the single storey shops at Nos. 215-217 were constructed in c.1900, with early Post Office Directories showing that No. 215 was used as a watchmakers and jewellers from 1905 until c.1920. No. 217 William Street was used as a fruiterer’s store from 1905 until c.1920. It was then a wine saloon, with Sydney Young listed as the proprietor (1920). From 1922, Ezio Luisini, a well-known Italian immigrant business man, owned and operated the place as a wine saloon, supplied by his winery in Wanneroo from 1929. In 1935 No. 215 William was occupied by Luisini's clothing shop, and the wine saloon was still located at No. 217. The Luisini's lived on the premises ('The West Australian' lists William Street as the family address in an obituary for Ezio’s wife in 1931.) Early PWD drawings show No. 215 as a brick shop with a rear brick residence, the Luisini home. Luisini became a valuable mentor to the Italian community, providing advice, credit and a place to gather. Evidence also suggests that the place was a social focus for the Italian community, providing a place to gather sociably. The area was known colloquially as ‘Little Italy’. In 1953 Parry and Parry Architects called for tenders for the addition of a second storey addition to 215 William Street. A 1966 image of the place shows two re-entrant shop fronts mirroring the adjacent No. 221-223 William Street. The canopy bears the words 'Importer Luisini Mercer Frocks Wine Saloon', indicating that the family had a long-standing association with the place. A photograph c.1990s shows a single tenancy in Nos. 215-217 William Street. In the 2010s Grapeskin Bar occupied Nos. 215-217 William Street, with access to the Brass Monkey through a door let into the rear portion of the dividing walls. At 2022 the place is ‘Patriots Sports Bar,’ part of the adjacent Brass Monkey Hotel.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium level of integrity. Medium level of authenticity.

Condition

Good

Uses

Creation Date

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