Old Albany Post Office

Statement of Significance

Old Albany Post Office
The Old Post Office has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:
It was the base station of the intercolonial telegraph of 1875, linking Western Australia with Adelaide, thence with the rest of the world.
It is one of Albany’s most interesting buildings architecturally and historically.
It was originally used as customs house, post office, telegraph office, sometimes for local government meetings, theatrical performances, debates, lectures, concerts, socials and even church services.
It also makes a valuable contribution to the townscape and foreshore setting located as it is in Stirling Terrace.

Stirling Terrace Precinct
Stirling Terrace Precinct, a predominantly late Victorian and Federation period townscape set along a segmented crescent plan overlooking Princess Royal Harbour, Albany and containing a diverse range of building types and styles, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:
the historic precinct is a fine and relatively intact example of a late nineteenth century and early twentieth century townscape, dating primarily from 1867 to 1915, demonstrating a range of activities and support infrastructure associated with the foundation and development of a prominent nineteenth century town;
the historic precinct is rare as a prominently located townscape with a town plan dating from the foundation of the settlement with a set of finely designed Victorian and Federation period buildings;
as the original commercial heart of the town, the historic precinct was an important part of the development of the region and the State to varying degrees from the 1830s until World War One when Albany was a prominent town in the Colony and Australia, due to its role as the Colony’s coal depot for the international mail and passenger service, which linked Europe to the eastern colonies. This role was expanded with the addition of regional railways and interstate telegraph links;
viewed from the harbour and from the western approaches to the town, the historic precinct as a whole is a landmark, strengthened by the strong vertical accents of the Royal George Hotel and the former Post Office;
the historic precinct is highly valued by the local community for its aesthetic values and historic associations and, along with the defining topography of the Princess Royal Harbour, Mount Melville and Mount Clarence, is as one of the elements that contributes to the local community’s sense of place and to the identity of Albany; within the precinct, G.T. Poole’s designs for the Post Office and Court House demonstrate creative excellence and J.T. Hobbs’ design for the Sandover & Co store, which later became Drew Robinson & Co.’s store, at 108-110 Stirling Terrace makes innovative use of large plate glass windows;
and
the historic precinct includes buildings designed by prominent architects James Manning, Lt. General Sir J. T. Hobbs, J. Herbert Eales, and George T. Poole, and was historically the location of businesses founded and run by significant Albany and regional identities including Thomas Sherratt, Alexander Moir, John Robinson, Charles Drew, Frank Dymes, Edward Barnett, J.F.T. Hassell, and E.G. Everett.

Physical Description

The Old Post Office is located on Stirling Terrace at a prominent location at the centre of the original town. It is a three-storied brick and stone structure, with ornamental towers and gables. The roof was originally shingles then reclad in clay tiles and now in slate tiles. The clock tower and lower turret still have shingles. It has open verandahs at three levels on the south side and overlooks the foreshore and harbour. The building can be accessed from Stirling Terrace or from the foreshore area.

The interior of the Old Post Office is finished in cedar and the stairwell of Sydney bluestone is of particular note. Plans were made in 1998 to undertake restoration work internally and externally and upgrade the services.

Refer also to: Considine & Griffiths Architects in association with Kris Bizzaca, Stirling Terrace, Albany, Conservation Plan, October 2000.

History

Old Albany Post Office
The Old Albany Post Office is an imposing brick and tile building prominently located in Stirling Terrace. It was built in two stages as offices for State Government departments.

The first stage was designed by architect James Manning and used local materials. Construction began in 1867 and the building was occupied by December 1869. Building materials included granite from Mount Clarence, lime for cement from Limeburners Creek and sheoak shingles for roofing from the King River and Kalgan River areas. The building was originally used for a Court Room, Local Government Offices, Post Office, Customs on the second floor and a bonded warehouse on the bottom floor.

As an extension of its role in communications the building was used as the base station of the inter-colonial telegraph of 1875, linking Western Australia with Adelaide and therefore with the rest of the world.

In 1896, a tower designed by architect George Temple Poole was added. Construction of the tower was undertaken by contractors Tighe Brothers for a cost of £4500. Local architect Francis Bird supervised the project. Of particular note was the use of Sydney bluestone for the steps of the circular stairway. To accommodate the tower and addition, the verandah on the western elevation had to be removed. In 1901 the clock tower was raised 6 metres.

In 1925 the roof was reshingled. In 1949, the shingles were removed, apart from on the clock tower, and replaced with Marseilles tiles.

In 1964, the Post Office moved out of the building and the Commonwealth Government renovated it for use as an Employment Office and Taxation Department. By 1967, the building had become surplus to the Commonwealth Government needs and so the Albany Town Council purchased the building and on-leased it. It had a variety of uses from then on. Many community events were held at the Old Post Office including meetings, theatrical performances, debates, lectures, concerts, socials and church services. The building was for many years occupied by the Post Office Museum, a restaurant (The Penny Post) and a local Theatre group (Spectrum Theatre).

Since 1999, it has been home to the Albany Centre of the University of Western Australia. Spectrum Theatre still tenant the ground floor/basement. In c2010 a new University science building was constructed to the east in a sympathetic design to the historic building. In c2016 the south verandah was reconstructed and the terracotta tiles were removed and the roof reclad in slate tiles. The clock tower and lower turret still retain the timber shingles.

Stirling Terrace Precinct

Stirling Terrace is one of the City of Albany’s most significant heritage assets, both as a streetscape and as a collection of Victorian and Federation period buildings overlooking Princess Royal Harbour. Stirling Terrace is located in visually striking topography and its segmented crescent plan form remains basically as it was when first recorded by Surveyor Hillman in 1835. The mature trees and the harmonious architectural composition of diverse building types and styles provide additional visual interest.
Stirling Terrace was developed from the 1830s following the establishment of Albany as part of the Swan River colony, and was an important part of the development of the region and the State to varying degrees from the 1830s until World War One. The 1835 Hillman survey plan set the scene for the emergence of Stirling Terrace as the prime location in the town, with a rich variety of social, commercial, leisure, institutional and service functions. The majority of the built fabric which remains today was completed in the period 1867 to 1915. The buildings were designed by some of the State’s most eminent architects and many were built for prominent citizens and institutions.
Over the years the commercial focus of Albany has moved to York Street, with many institutions, such as banks and the post office relocating there. Free of substantial development pressure at a critical time, Stirling Terrace has managed to retain many of its historic structures and features. Viewed from the harbour, and from the western approach to the town, Stirling Terrace has a landmark quality as a whole.

Refer also to: Considine & Griffiths Architects in association with Kris Bizzaca, Stirling Terrace, Albany, Conservation Plan, October 2000.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Moderate
Authenticity: High/Moderate

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

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.