Motor House, Perth

Values

· The place is representative of the emergence of the motor car in Western Australia, and its scale, style, and date of construction demonstrate an unprecedented degree of excitement and confidence in this emerging technology which was still relatively uncommon during this period.
· The place is a fine representative example of an Inter-War Functionalist building with Art Deco characteristics.
· The place demonstrates the emergence of modern architecture in Western Australia and its application to buildings with a variety of functions.
· The place was designed in collaboration by W.G. Bennett & Messrs Powell, Cameron, & Chisholm.

Statement of Significance

Motor House, Perth, is representative of the emergence of the motor car in Western Australia, and its scale, style, and date of construction demonstrate an unprecedented degree of excitement and confidence in this emerging technology which was still relatively uncommon during this period. It is also a fine representative example of an Inter-War Functionalist building with Art Deco characteristics. The place, designed in collaboration by W.G. Bennett & Messrs Powell, Cameron, & Chisholm, demonstrates the emergence of modern architecture in Western Australia and its application to buildings with a variety of functions.

Physical Description

Motor House, Perth comprises a three storey triangular Inter-War Functionalist style building with Art Deco characteristics, which is constructed of brick, concrete, and steel. The outside walls of the building are rendered in white cement, which has been incised to look like stone work. The saw-tooth type roof is constructed of asbestos corrugated sheeting and is concealed by a deco stepped parapet. Three large openings facing Wellington Street allow vehicle access to the ground floor.

History

The land on which Motor House, Perth is situated is the former location of St. John’s Church. Tenders for the construction of Motor House, which was described as ‘a two-storey steel and concrete garage’, were received by July 1935 and the offers ranged from £13 650 to £15 583. The lowest offer for tender was provided by Missen and Mills, who had already worked on prominent buildings in Perth such as the Regal Theatre. The design of Motor House, Perth is attributed to W. G. Bennett, shortly after his departure from the firm Heales, Cohen, & Bennett in June 1935, in collaboration with Powell, Cameron and Chisholm. Construction of Motor House, Perth was completed by mid-1936. The place was leased to Edward Lane Courthope, a businessman, and Jesse Olifent, a tradesman, in c.1936. The owner, Seeligson, died on 24 May 1942 at the age of eighty and the beneficiaries of his will were his immediate family. Motor House, Perth continued to be occupied by businesses linked to the automotive industry after it was sold by Seeligson’s family. Land information reveals that the place was then bought by Dunlop in June 1952, possibly as part of a business strategy to compensate for reductions in profit.

Condition

The building has been extensively refurbished and remodelled in recent years (1990s). The upper floors have been converted into offices. However, the significant characteristics of the exterior structure and some parts of the interior showing its original purpose.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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