Old Cottesloe Municipal Chambers

Author

Town of Cottesloe

Place Number

07492

Location

70 Broome St Cottesloe

Location Details

Other Name(s)

Former Mechanics Institute Hall site

Local Government

Cottesloe

Region

Metropolitan

Construction Date

Constructed from 1929

Demolition Year

2000

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type Status Date Documents
(no listings)

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type Status Date Documents
(no listings)

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type Status Date Grading/Management
Category
Municipal Inventory Adopted 30 Sep 1995 Category 7

Statement of Significance

A minor landmark. It has importance also as the site of the former Mechanics Institute and as the first purpose built Council Chamber.

Physical Description

Building has been demolished. Former Municipal Chamber - Mechanic's Institute, The former municipal chambers, 1929, are now rendered completely and the place has been adapted for a dwelling, it is symmetrically arranged with an enclosed portico. It has a hipped replacement colourbond roof with deep corbelled eaves.

History

in 1897 the government agreed to grant certain Roads Boards 300 pounds and a block of land if they built Mechanics Institutes and persuaded ratepayers to support the scheme. In March 1898 a meeting was held in Briggs Hall to enrol members. A wooden hall was built by local builder Charles Tun/ille c.1898 for 600 pounds. Charles Edwin Turville, carpenter who went on to become a builder and contractor was responsible for many buildings in Cottesloe after he arrived in 1895 Despite lectures by leading educationists being advertised the educative purposes of the institution were not a great success, it was also turned into a library and in 1904 became the Roads Board Building and the Cottesloe Board of Health headquarters as well. Important functions and banquets were held there. Contrary to what is stated in Marchant James (p 32 ) it was not pulled down in 1929 but remained on the site until 1950 when it was sold and transported to Onslow Road in Shenton Park to become a Scout's Hall where it served for more years eventually being demolished in the 1980s? Whether-Turvillle was also the builder of the new building is not-known: After 1950 when the council acquired Overton Lodge the building was sold and converted to a private residence. The Post Newspaper may have photographs of the old hall being pulled down. In **, Council granted its Planning Consent for teh demolition of the building. A new house has subsequently been erected.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: reasonable Modifications: c1950s to turn it into a house

Condition

Good

References

Ref ID No Ref Name Ref Source Ref Date
Battye JS; "Cyclopedia of Western Australia". Vol 1 p. 566
Marchant James Ruth; "Heritage of Pines." p.32 1977

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Uses

Epoch General Specific
Present Use GOVERNMENTAL Office or Administration Bldg
Original Use GOVERNMENTAL Office or Administration Bldg

Construction Materials

Type General Specific
Roof METAL Corrugated Iron
Wall RENDER Other Render

Historic Themes

General Specific
SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES Government & politics

Creation Date

09 Jun 1997

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

01 Jan 2017

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.