Local Government
South Perth
Region
Metropolitan
59 Angelo St South Perth
South Perth
Metropolitan
Constructed from 1939
Type | Status | Date | Documents | More information |
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Heritage List | Adopted | 25 Sep 2018 |
Type | Status | Date | Documents |
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RHP - To be assessed | Current | 27 Feb 2004 |
Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | More information | |
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Category | Description | ||||
Local Heritage Survey | Adopted | 14 Nov 2000 | Category B |
Category B |
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Art Deco Significant Bldg Survey | Completed | 30 Jun 1994 |
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Heritage Council |
• The place has aesthetic value as a large, intact example of the Inter War Stripped Classical style in brick and tile. Internal details that remain from the original construction are likely to reflect this style
• The place has historic value as a demonstration of the investment by the Commonwealth Government in the provision of telephones to the suburbs of Australia.
• The place has historic value for its demonstration of the growth of South Perth in the Inter War period though the provision of services to the growing community.
• The place has social value for the local community as it has provided a continuity of service and presence in the streetscape since 1939.
The Angelo Street Post Office is situated in the retail/commercial strip near the intersection of Angelo Street and Coode Street. Originally constructed as a standalone building the adjoining telephone exchange was added in the 1960s which impacted on the symmetry and individuality of the building.
The Angelo Street Post Office is a two storey structure, with increased height due to the parapet walls. The structure is constructed of reinforced concrete with a red and dark brown coloured pressed brick patterned façade. The original section of the building has a symmetrical façade but following the construction of the telephone exchange, the façade became unbalanced. The two sections of the building are roofed with a single hipped form clad with terracotta tiles.
The main face of the post office building is red brick set one course behind the plinth. The main face is framed with brown-coloured bricks set back one course with a herringbone pattern and soldier brick frieze to the parapet. The plinth to dado height is rusticated with unbonded brown header bricks. The dark brown bricks are carried around the reveal linings of the door openings, recessed in three steps. The door openings are protected by wrought iron grilles, which are notable for their design.
The centre of the main façade to the Post Office section is dominated by a pre-cast, pressed cement panel containing six metal framed windows. The upper level windows are each 10 paned openings whilst the ground level windows are 12 panes each. Although the pane size is different, the windows are of similar design. The central panel is decorated with vertical fluting mullions and a chequerboard pattern to the panels between the two levels of windows.
The adjoining telephone exchange section of the building replicates the scale and massing of the Post Office but the design is completely different. The material palette reflects that of the adjoining building with the majority constructed in red brick enlivened by rendered columns. The telephone exchange is divided into two unequal sections with vehicular access through the western bay. The lower section of the façade is set back behind the upper level, creating a narrow shaded area. The upper level contains five metal framed windows, forming a continuous band across the façade.
This building was constructed in 1939 by local contractors Angell and Clark to a design prepared by the Commonwealth Department of the Interior for the Post Master Generals Department. The successful tender of £5500 was awarded in December 1938 and the firm undertook the construction quickly in the first half of the year as the building was opened for business on 10 July 1939 as the Post Office, South Perth. The former post office in Mends Street was renamed the Mends Street Post Office, South Perth.
The building provided postal and telegraph services and originally had living quarters but these rooms were allocated to other functions when staff were no longer required to attend at all hours.
The building has been upgraded and altered over the years to suit changing technologies. Major changes occurred in the early 1960s, c1980 and in 2015. It continues to be used as a Post Office for the descendant organisation, Australia Post.
High / High
Good
Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
---|---|---|---|
Pope,B. Bush, F. Broomfield, W. & Kelsall, D.M. " Historical Architectural Assessment of Post Offices in Western Australia as at 21 July 1991" | National Trust of Australia (WA) | 1993 |
Individual Building or Group
Epoch | General | Specific |
---|---|---|
Present Use | Transport\Communications | Comms: Post or Telegraph Office |
Original Use | Transport\Communications | Comms: Housing or Quarters |
Original Use | Transport\Communications | Comms: Post or Telegraph Office |
Style |
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Inter-War Stripped Classical |
Type | General | Specific |
---|---|---|
Wall | CONCRETE | Reinforced Concrete |
Roof | TILE | Terracotta Tile |
General | Specific |
---|---|
TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS | Mail services |
TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS | Telecommunications |
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.