No 1 Fire Station (fmr)

Statement of Significance

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE gazetted with permanent entry as State Registered Place (18/11/2008). Fire Station (fmr), a two-storey rock-faced limestone building with a tile roof, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:
+ constructed in 1900, the place was the first purpose-built fire station in Western Australia, and the largest and most comprehensively equipped fire station in the State for almost 80 years;
+ a well-known landmark, the place makes a positive contribution to the streetscape and is an integral component of the historic Murray Street East Precinct, which comprises a number of former Government,
administrative and ecclesiastical buildings dating from c.1900; + the place is an outstanding example of the Federation Romanesque style of architecture, and is rare as a secular building designed by prominent Perth architectural firm Cavanagh and Cavanagh;
+ as the headquarters for the Western Australian Fire and Rescue Service the place represents changes in fire and emergency services management in Western Australia since 1900;
+ in its role as a museum and heritage and education centre, the place provides an understanding of fire fighting, a specialised occupation of great importance to the people of Western Australia; and,
+ numerous examples of technical excellence and innovation in fire fighting were developed at the place. Many of these were developed under the leadership of James McFarlane Lapsley, who was Superintendent of the Perth Fire Brigade from 1897 to 1910 and later the first Chief Officer of WA Fire Brigades from 1910 to 1922.

Physical Description

Sandstone building designed in the Federation Arts and Crafts style typical of government buildings of the period. The building is constructed of stone with terracotta tiled roof which is probably original. The facade features a diversity of details and forms including arched openings, rectangular windows, a colonnade and decorative stucco work, giving different character to different parts of the building . The roof features both hipped and gabled forms typical of this architectural style.

History

The central city fire station is a typical purpose designed civic building dating from the period of expansion following the gold boom of the 1890's when the development of Perth was characterised by an extensive program of Public Works.

The design of the building was probably influenced by John Granger Chief architect with the PWD at the Period. The building has been conserved for museum purposes.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium level of integrity.

High level of authenticity as it is largely as originally constructed with detail intact. Internal restoration and alterations have occurred.

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.