Drill Hall, Leederville

Statement of Significance

The former RAAF Air Training Corps, Drill Hall and Mechanics Institute was constructed to the design of leading architect Edgar J Henderson. It was acquired as part of a Federal Government program at the start of the First World War. It was continuously used and developed by the armed services until its sale in 2000. It had close associations with education of the early Vincent community and then with district wide recruitment and training for the armed service for more than 85 years.

Physical Description

The Mechanics Institute developed the Hall behind the streetfront annexe. The annexe is built to the footpath in a Federation Free Classical style. The parapeted façade of the annexe has a tripartite composition. Above the parapet is a central pediment, which has carried the consecutive names of the hall. The annexe is designed around a large entry hall with offices and lounge. The front offices have pressed tin ceilings in a number of different designs. The hall was a functionalist brick hall with a high pitched galvanised iron roof. Its northern end was a temporary wall behind a raised stage with side wings. These were removed following the change from Mechanics Institute to Drill Hall. Subsequently offices were constructed along the western wall requiring the original high level windows to be filled in. The change from Drill Hall to Air Training Corp brought minimal change. During 2004 extensive redevelopment was conducted on the site, involving the Drill Hall's original structure being converted into residential and commerical use. The site's old parade ground has been landscaped to reflect the cultural heritage significance associated with the site. Zero front setback to Vincent Street, and very close to the Mitchell Freeway off ramp along the side. Various

History

Part of the subject site, at the corner of Vincent Street (this portion was formerly known as Redan Street) and Stamford Street (then known as Frogmore Gardens), was initially owned by James Stewart Bennet in 1896. The land was transferred to Maria Burges in 1901 and the Leederville Mechanics Institute in 1908. The building now known as Drill Hall was the then Leederville Mechanics Institute. Mechanics Institutes were established to provide the working man with uplifting and educational reading material, and a place to meet for lectures. The first Leederville Mechanics Institute was part of the Municipal Chambers, built at another site on Oxford Street in 1898. The building quickly proved too small for both functions and a new Leederville Mechanics Institute was built at the subject site along Redan Street. The building was designed by Edgar J. Henderson and the contract for construction was awarded to Franklin and Finlay. The foundation stone was laid on 8 December 1908. With the introduction of compulsory military training in Australia in 1911 prior to World War One, the Commonwealth Defence Department needed extra drill halls. Leederville Mechanics Institute was acquired by the Defence Department for use as a drill hall in 1913 and was then known as Leederville Drill Hall. This building consisted of a large single space, approached through an entry annexe of hallway, opened to Vincent Street and flanked by four offices. Following the outbreak of World War One, the Leederville Drill Hall was used for recruiting and training. Extra land was acquired adjoining the hall site, which provided an area for a parade ground. There was a weatherboard cottage on the land at time of acquisition. This was removed in 1922-23. In 1919, there were 13 drill halls in Perth and another 17 in country areas. Use of the drill halls fluctuated over the years. Various other structures were added to the site at Leederville, resulting in some 15 structures, many of them temporary or transportable. In 1960, the site was referred to as the Western Command Signal Squadron Depot. Circa 1979, Leederville Drill Hall was taken over by the RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force) for use by the Air Training Corps. In recent years a number of suburban drill halls have been sold. Leederville Drill Hall was offered for public tender in 2000. During 2004 the site underwent extensive redevelopment in which a number of buildings at the site have been demolished, including a house at No. 2 Stamford Street, a commercial shop 'Cooling Brothers' at No. 177 Oxford Street and several demountable buildings and sheds. The original Drill Hall has been retained and the whole site converted to residential and commercial use. The project's success was recognized with a Town of Vincent 2003 Building Design and Conservation Award win.

Integrity/Authenticity

Moderate

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Historic Themes

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