Dilhorn

Statement of Significance

Dilhorn is an exemplar of the Federation Beaux Arts style. It was designed by the notable architect J.J. Talbott Hobbs for William Loton. It is one of Hobbs’ finest residential works, and is especially notable for the fine proportions of its rooms. Set on a crest, located at the corner of a prominent intersection, the place is a widely known landmark. The development of Dilhorn demonstrated that the area could attract influential people to reside there in style. It has important associations with William Loton, JJ Talbot Hobbs and the Australian Army.

Physical Description

The substantial two storey mansion has an ornate two storeyed timber verandah with two gables facing Bulwer Street and incorporating a central brick-and-stucco entrance porch on the front elevation. The name of the building and other decorative features are incorporated into the porch. The red-brick building has horizontal stucco banding and a decorative frieze beneath the eaves line. The secondary (Lord Street) façade also incorporates a gable and an arched window on the upper floor. The tiled roof includes decorative timber vents. The original widow's walk is missing from the crown of the roof, which is still served by an internal staircase. In 2002, the Bulwer Street setback showed remnant evidence of a circular drive and a mature palm. This has been modified in recent landscaping works. There is a series of white gum trees along the Lord Street side. Much of the yard around the dwelling is hard surface. Various internal modifications and rear ablutions extensions.

History

Dilhorn was built in 1897 for William Thorley Loton, who had arrived in Western Australia in 1863. Loton became a merchant and he and William Padbury were business partners until 1889. He amassed large land holdings in the north-west of the State and became a prominent member of Perth society and Mayor of Perth. Loton subdivided Perth Town Lots N126 & N127 into nine smaller lots, and Dilhorn was built on Lot 2 (this was amended to Lot 16 in 1953), a very large block of 2,833 square metres. The place is an example of housing built for an affluent family, incorporating servant's quarters and entrances. Staff included a cook, two maids, and a chauffeur. The house cost £4,684 to build, and architect J. J. Talbot-Hobbs was paid £234 for his services. The palm tree in the front yard had been planted by around 1914-19. Dilhorn overlooks Perth Oval, which was part of Loton's landholdings and formerly known as Loton Park. Loton sold a portion of Loton Park to the City of Perth in 1904 for 8,500 pounds on the condition that it remain in use for recreation. Renamed Perth Oval, it was adopted in 1906 as the home ground for the East Perth football Club (originally the Union Football Club) and in 2004 when East Perth Football Club's tenancy finished, it was revamped as a multi-purpose sport's stadium and leaseed to the Perth Glory Soccer Club. It was then renamed Members Equity Stadium. William Loton was knighted in 1922, and died in 1924. Lady Loton died three years later and Dilhorn was sold to Annie Bannon, who ran a boarding house in the place until 1940. In 1949 Dilhorn was sold to Florence Isabel Lavan and then to Madelone Gladys Frybery. In 1952, it was purchased by the Commonwealth Department of Defence and was occupied as Army Headquarters for the 13th Infantry Brigade (1952-1960), the 1st Royal Western Australia Regiment Battle Group (1960-1965), the 2nd Task Force (1965-1976), the Army Museum and the 5th Military District Detachment of the 4th Army Quality Assurance Unit (1978-1988). Then solely by the Army Museum (1988-1995). Following the removal of the Army Museum to Fremantle the property was sold private owners. Also included in the purchase were two cottages: one built for Sir William Loton's chaffeur and the other for a caretaker in the 1970's. Nick and Ali (Wilders) Kennedy purchased it in march 1999 and proceeded to carry out a large restoration/renovation program under the Heritage Council's guidelines. it was sold in 2001 for $900,00 when further restoration work was carried out and in 2007 it was still in private hands.

Integrity/Authenticity

Intact

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