Everett Buildings

Statement of Significance

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

Some of the notable features of this place include:
• Part of a group of similar scale two storey buildings
• Corner setting
• Asymmetrical façade
• Rendered brick walls
• Informal massing of windows
• Parapet walls above roof line– curvilinear on Backpackers
• Chimneys rendered with moulded capping can only just be seen above parapet wall
• Shop doors are recessed back from footpath between display windows

Some obvious modifications include:
• Cantilevered verandahs removed and replaced with new verandah (2014)
• Window fittings
• External colour scheme (2014)
• Painted mural on eastern wall

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

History

Everett Buildings
Prior to the construction of the Everett Buildings, the entire block adjacent to Argyle Buildings was vacant and the land was owned by a number of people.
In 1897, E. G. (Edward Gamble) and his wife (A. M. E. Everett) and their two sons and daughter arrived in Albany from South Australia. With Edward growing up in the grocery trade (his father’s business), the Everett’s set up business in a small store in York Street.
In 1907 Edward Gamble Everett is recorded as the owner of this property on Stirling Tce and with the success of their business, the Everett’s built a new house and shop in 1908. The first portion consisted of two shop fronts and a double storey balcony from which a drapery, grocery and direct importers was operating. The corner portion was still vacant at this time and enclosed with a picket fence. In 1912, the corner portion was constructed – “Everett’s Corner”. The completed building had iron lacework and a timber posted verandah extending around the corner.
The business was eventually managed by their son, Cpt. George Charles Everett, but he suddenly died during a tennis match in 1932. Further tragedy struck when in 1932, Mrs Everett also died. Edward then retired and in 1934, after a long illness, he too died.
In 1936, Everett’s was purchased by P. J McCarthy. From 1927, the Payne family ran a drapery business on Stirling Terrace - R R Payne had previously run the drapery business for Drew Robinson and Co. In 1936, Payne Drapery (or Payne Cash Draper), now run by Frederick William Payne, moved from its existing building in Stirling Tce into the Everett’s former building. The interior of the building was completely renovated to accommodate the booming drapery business. In 1939, the Paynes left Albany and moved to Narrogin. Mr L R Gilbert took over Paynes drapery business in Everett’s Building before relocating to a new store in York Street in 1941.
The building later became the Albany Backpackers and Rods and Tackle Shop.

Stirling Terrace
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.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High/Moderate
Authenticity: Moderate

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

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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.