Bairds Building (fmr)

Statement of Significance

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE The following statement, is taken from the gazetted permanent State Register Entry for the place, as the reasons for its cultural heritage signficance: Bairds Building (fmr), Perth, a four-storey brick, steel and Donnybrook stone building constructed in 1906 with a tiled roof in the Federation Free style, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:
+ the place is an excellent and striking example of a substantial commercial building in the Federation Free Style and has dramatic landmark qualities, particularly in its position opposite open space beside the horseshoe bridge;
+ originally constructed as Levi Greens’ Ironmongery and utilised for over eighty years as retail premises, the place demonstrates the transition from ironmongers' stores to more specialised hardware, machinery sales and generalist department stores that provided a greater range of goods traditional to ironmongers;
+ the place was occupied for fifty years by the popular store Bairds Company, a business of particular importance to country customers, which operated its main store from the site from 1919 up to 1969
+ the place was hailed at its construction as a modern demonstration of the prosperity of Western Australia at a time when Perth was keen to shake off its nineteenth century image as a sleepy backwater;
+ the place is an integral component of a precinct of buildings from the Federation and Inter-war periods, and is important to the historic streetscapes that remain on both sides of William Street and along Wellington Street; and,
+ the place is a fine example of the work of notable architect Richard Dennehy applied to a commercial building, and was constructed by prominent Perth builder J.D. Sanders.
The contemporary office fit-out (first, second and third floors) and restaurant and bar fit-out (ground floor) are of little significance.

Physical Description

Four storey commercial building with parapet gable and attic window. Steeply pitched roof, arched windows at fourth floor level and prominent entablature. Facade altered at ground and first floor levels - out of keeping with the original.

History

Example of a commercial building constructed in Perth during the period of expansion and development following the gold rush of the 1890s.

Integrity/Authenticity

High level of integrity.

Medium level of authenticity as it has lost original detail at first and ground floor levels. Largely intact above.

Condition

Fair

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.