Building

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The place has historic significance as a Federation era two storey corner facing commercial building, with retail uses on the ground floor and accommodation on the upper floor, built in 1897.

Physical Description

Federation era two storey corner commercial building, with retail uses on the ground floor and residential accommodation on the upper floor.

History

The area to the north of Perth (now known as Northbridge) was valued by the Whadjuk Nyoongar for its low lying and swampy lakes system, which provided abundant resources. After colonisation, this land was not settled as quickly as drier areas on the ridge of Perth. In 1854 some of the swampy land to the north of Perth was drained producing fertile land for farming. As the population grew during the convict era of the 1850s the land was subdivided into allotments circa 1860 and taken up by discharged soldiers, artisans and small landholders. The area at this period was characterised by small cottages and businesses. In 1881 the railway from Fremantle to Guildford was opened and became the main transport route. From that period commerce and trade tended to focus on smaller commercial enterprises and manufacturing to the north. It was less fashionable to live north of the railway line, however the area was close to the city and during the 1890s and early 1900s was substantially redeveloped with further subdivision of lots and mixed residential and commercial development. This was an immediate response to the tripling of the State’s population in the recent decade due to the gold boom, and a pressing demand for affordable accommodation. A number of trade and community organisations had their origins in the area at this time. Over the years the population of the area changed as people relocated to suburban areas of the city. As a result, Northbridge became the home for successive migrant communities. for example, communities including Greek, Italian, Chinese and more recently Vietnamese migrants have settled here as property remained relatively cheap and had the advantage of being close to the city. These communities have over the years given this area a distinctive character, generally recycling the existing buildings rather than redeveloping the area. Northbridge, named because it is just north of Perth across the railway bridge, was approved as a suburb name in 1982. There was a building on the north west corner of Lake and Aberdeen Street from 1897, occupied by Alfred, Butcher, grocer. It is likely it was always a two-storey building which provided residences in the upper floor for the business operator/s. The building was listed as No. 112 Aberdeen Street, and also as 81 Lake Street. From 1904 to 1938, the building was No. 112, Herbert Maher, grocer, followed by Paul Bordoni, grocer from 1939. In 1940 the upper floor was converted into ‘Devon Flats.’ (No. 114). Paul and Teresa Bordoni lived in Flat 5 and continued to operate the grocery store on the ground floor corner premises. The Metropolitan Water Supply Survey plan dated 1949 shows No. 112 is the portion facing Aberdeen Street, and No. 81 is the Lake Street side. There is a galvanised iron building labelled ‘Stables’ adjacent to the building on the Lake Street side. In 2011 the place was Backpackers International. It closed in 2018. The building has had several phases of modification. In 2022 it is undergoing a refurbishment.

Integrity/Authenticity

Low authenticity.

Condition

Fair - Good

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House

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Parent Place or Precinct

11509 Aberdeen Street Precinct

Statement of Significance

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE gazetted with permanent entry as State Registered Place (20/05/2003 )as a child of the Aberdeen Street Precinct. Assessment Documentation with the Register of Heritage Places for House (fmr), 156 Aberdeen Street, also listed an individual Statement of Significance for the child place as follows: House (fmr), 156 Aberdeen Street, is a single storey brick and iron residence in the Victorian Georgian Style, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: + the place is rare as a substantial Victorian Georgian style residence, dating from the pre gold boom era, still extant within the Perth region; + the place is a substantial Victorian Georgian style residence with the characteristics of a spreading, rural homestead; + the place, situated as it is opposite Russell Square, with its distinctive spreading form and timber picket fence, is a recognised landmark in the Northbridge area; + the place forms an integral part of a group of single storey residential buildings and contributes to the historic character of the area; + the place reflects the expansion of housing opportunities in the city of Perth in the area north of the railway line. It was one of the first substantial houses to be constructed in the area, and reflects the nature of the social milieu that once lived along particular sections of Aberdeen Street; + the place is important for its association with Richard A. Sholl, the Post Master General for Western Australia who built the house and lived in it for a number of decades; and, the place is highly valued by the community for its association with the history of Northbridge and for contributing to the community's sense of place.

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House

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Parent Place or Precinct

11509 Aberdeen Street Precinct

Statement of Significance

Gazetted with permanent entry as State Registered Place (20/05/2003 ) as the Aberdeen Street Precinct. There is a Statement of Significance which applies to the precinct as a whole (No.s 154-188 Aberdeen Street), in which this child place is non-contributory. Aberdeen Street Precinct, an almost continuous row of single storey brick and iron residences of various styles, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: + the precinct is rare as an example of a considerably intact streetscape of late nineteenth century and early twentieth century residential and associated commercial buildings still extant within close proximity to Perth’s city centre; + individual buildings have scale, massing and detail of aesthetic value which provides a visual cohesion within the precinct and contributes to the historic character of the area; + the place is important as a reflection of the diversity of cultural changes and events that occurred over the course of a century. The changing ownership of the properties within the precinct reflects population movement and changing attitudes towards what became inner-city housing, as well as being evidence of the expansion and development of Perth residential quarters during and immediately after the gold boom; + the precinct is highly valued by the community for its association with the history of Northbridge and for contributing to their continuing sense of place; + the precinct contains important individual places such as 156 Aberdeen Street (1883-84), one of the first substantial houses to be constructed in the area and associated with Richard A. Sholl, Post Master General for Western Australia who built and lived in this house, and 162 Aberdeen Street (c.1892), associated with the Torre family who are well known within the Northbridge area and who ran a boarding house for newly arrived migrants in the post war years in this house, and from 1961 for its association with the Catholic Order, the Daughters of Saint Vincent de Paul who worked among the homeless and dispossessed. The residential building at No. 158 Aberdeen Street is of little significance.

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House

Creation Date

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Parent Place or Precinct

11509 Aberdeen Street Precinct

Statement of Significance

Gazetted with permanent entry as State Registered Place (20/05/2003) as the Aberdeen Street Precinct. There is a Statement of Significance which applies to the precinct as a whole (No.s 154-188 Aberdeen Street), in which this child place is non-contributory. Aberdeen Street Precinct, an almost continuous row of single storey brick and iron residences of various styles, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: + the precinct is rare as an example of a considerably intact streetscape of late nineteenth century and early twentieth century residential and associated commercial buildings still extant within close proximity to Perth’s city centre; + individual buildings have scale, massing and detail of aesthetic value which provides a visual cohesion within the precinct and contributes to the historic character of the area; + the place is important as a reflection of the diversity of cultural changes and events that occurred over the course of a century. The changing ownership of the properties within the precinct reflects population movement and changing attitudes towards what became inner-city housing, as well as being evidence of the expansion and development of Perth residential quarters during and immediately after the gold boom; + the precinct is highly valued by the community for its association with the history of Northbridge and for contributing to their continuing sense of place; + the precinct contains important individual places such as 156 Aberdeen Street (1883-84), one of the first substantial houses to be constructed in the area and associated with Richard A. Sholl, Post Master General for Western Australia who built and lived in this house, and 162 Aberdeen Street (c.1892), associated with the Torre family who are well known within the Northbridge area and who ran a boarding house for newly arrived migrants in the post war years in this house, and from 1961 for its association with the Catholic Order, the Daughters of Saint Vincent de Paul who worked among the homeless and dispossessed. The residential building at No. 158 Aberdeen Street is of little significance.

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St Brigid's Church

Parent Place or Precinct

02030 St Brigid's Group, Perth

Uses

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The place has social, historic and aesthetic significance for associations with the Mercy Sisters, St. Brigid's Convent and the history and development of the Roman Catholic Church in Western Australia.

Physical Description

Church designed in the Federation Gothic style with elements of Romanesque architecture also included in the design. Steeply pitched gable roof with tower and spire, arched windows with stucco decoration. Face brick construction general with rendered bonds. The church was extended to the west and a new alter constructed in 1957.

History

St. Brigid's Church located adjacent to St. Brigid's School was built in 1904 and designed by prominent architects Cavanagh & Cavanagh. In 1957, the building was extended to the west to include a new alter. The building features the 1905 pipe organ in the gallery, mahogany mews and large religious sculptures. Northbridge is an inner suburban area, named because it is just north of Perth across the railway bridge. It was approved as a suburb name in 1982.

Integrity/Authenticity

High level of integrity. High level of authenticity.

Condition

Good

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St Brigid's Group, Perth

Parent Place or Precinct

15858 Northbridge Precinct

Child Places

• 01976 St Brigid's Convent (fmr)
• 01978 St Brigid's High School
• 01977 St Brigid's Church
• 02029 St Brigids Parish Hall (fmr)

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Child Places

• 01976 St Brigid's Convent (fmr)
• 01978 St Brigid's High School
• 01977 St Brigid's Church
• 02029 St Brigids Parish Hall (fmr)

Condition

Good

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1 Museum Street

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE gazetted with permanent entry as State Registered Place (02/07/1999). The place is significant as an attractive pair of two storey semi-detached houses in the Federation Queen Anne style with richly detailed roofscape, cast iron balustrades and fine masonry. The place has a clearly identifiable residential form and is significant for providing evidence of the former residential nature of much of the locality and with the rapid expansion of building in Western Australia during the Gold Boom. The place is valued by the community for its aesthetic contribution to the area as evidenced by the community’s response to the proposed demolition and redevelopment. The place is an uncommon building type in Western Australia. The place is a good example of the Federation Queen Anne style and is representative of the nature of accommodation for relatively affluent tenants in the Gold Boom era.

Physical Description

The place is a pair of two-storey Federation Queen Anne style semidetached houses built of stone, brick and iron. The houses are arranged symmetrically around a central party wall and have a richly detailed roofscape, limestone walls with brick quoins to the front and return facades and cast iron balustrade panels around the upper verandah level. The place has a landmark quality in Museum Street, and in the local area, as the only surviving two-storey semi-detached pair of residences with some fine decorative fabric and construction detailing.

History

The pair of houses at 1 Museum Street, originally called Limbo Street but renamed c. 1895-98, were constructed as an investment property during the Gold Boom in Western Australia when there was a massive demand for accommodation in Perth. The materials of its construction, its design, and the nature of the accommodation provided are indicative of the relatively affluent tenants for whom the place was intended. The houses were built in 1897 for Mrs Lydia Farmer by builder, George Napier. Little is known of Lydia Farmer although she owned other property in nearby Francis Street where she had a house designed by the well-known architect, J. J. Talbot Hobbs. She is not recorded as having lived at 1 Museum Street which appears to have been tenanted throughout her ownership. There was little change to the place through the first half of the twentieth century although some renovations were carried out in the 1950-60’s and by the mid 1970’s there were plans for the construction of a new Technical College to be built on land extending from Aberdeen through to Francis Street. Concern was voiced over the future of the houses and they were assessed, but not classified by the National Trust of Australia (WA). The Crown acquired the land for construction of the new technical college, including 1 Museum Street, and development commenced in the mid 1980’s. It was proposed that 1 Museum Street be demolished as it was considered to have little architectural significance and the estimated costs to upgrade it considered too high. An adjoining house at 25 Museum Street was demolished in 1979 but 1 Museum Street remained and was used as a site office during construction of the technical college. The place was occupied by the Australian Writers’ Guild between 1989 -1998 but there was minimal maintenance undertaken at the place resulting in further deterioration. At present 1 Museum Street is occupied by the offices of the International Centre of the Central Institute of Technology (TAFE).

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium level of authenticity as it is largely as originally constructed with detail intact.

Condition

Fair

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Northbridge Urban Renewal Area

Child Places

• 15782 Shop & Residence, Northbridge
• 15781 House & Shop, Northbridge
• 26636 Restaurant & Commercial Building
• 03845 151-165 Beaufort Street
• 15858 Northbridge Precinct
• 26639 Restaurant & Commercial Building
• 26637 Shop & Commercial Building
• 15784 Two Shops & Residence
• 07094 House
• 01969 Protestant Hall (fmr), Perth
• 11543 Parry Street Precinct
• 26635 Shop & Commercial Building
• 11263 Beaufort, Lindsay & Money Street Precinct
• 15266 House
• 26638 Shop & Commercial Building
• 15780 Shops & Flats, Northbridge
• 08522 Weld Square

Uses

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Aberdeen Street Post Office

Condition

Good - altered for nightclub use.

Uses

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The place is of aesthetic significance because it is a recognised landmark in the City of Perth. The place is of aesthetic significance as a good example of the work of the Public Works department of WA in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. The place is of historic significance because it reflects the expansion and development of commerce and trade in the City of Perth designed by the Public Works Department of WA. The place is of social significance because it contributes to the Western Australian community's sense of place.

Physical Description

Original Post Office building single storey. Distinguished by large semi-circular openings to Loggia and sash windows. Two storey residential section employs some of the architectural features of the original building. Two storey addition on eastern side. The alterations removed all the internal walls and features and all the building behind the main ridge line, leaving only the external street elevation intact. A two storey extension was built at the eastern end of the building incorporating the existing electricity sub-station and incorporating a second storey over the original residential section. A single storey extension was also constructed on the southern side facing Parker Street and the arches over the verandah of the original residential section facing Aberdeen Street were infilled

History

In the early years of the Swan River colony, the area to the north of Perth (now known as Northbridge) was low lying and swampy and was therefore settled more slowly than the better land closer to the river. It was also further from the river port and the main means of transport. Northbridge is an inner suburban area, named because it is just north of Perth across the railway bridge. It was approved as a suburb name in 1982. In 1854 some of the swampy land to the north of Perth was drained producing some fertile land for farming and later subdivision. The land was subdivided into allotments circa 1860. Land in the area was taken up by discharged soldiers, artisans and small landholders. The area, at this period, was characterised by small cottages and businesses. In 1881, the railway from Fremantle to Guildford was opened and became the main transport route. From that period, commerce and trade tended to be more fashionable with smaller commercial enterprises and manufacturing to the north. It was less fashionable to live north of the railway line, however the area was close to the city and during the 1890's and early 1900's was substantially redeveloped with further subdivision of lots and mixed residential and commercial development. A number of trade and community organisations had their origins in the area at this time. Over the years the population of the area changed as people relocated to suburban areas of the city. As a result, Northbridge became the home for successive migrant communities; for example, communities including Greek, Italian, Chinese and more recently Vietnamese migrants have settled here as property remained relatively cheap and had the advantage of being close to the city. These communities have, over the years, given this area a distinctive character, generally recycling the existing buildings rather than redeveloping the area. (Extracted from M. Pitt Morrison and J. White in C.T. Stannage, A New History of Western Australia; U.W.A. 1981 and Michael Bosworth, Thematic Historical framework, City of Perth Unpub. 1995). The building was designed by the Public Works Department of WA in the 1890's. The style of the building was strongly influenced by Chief Architect, George Temple Poole. In 1900 the Post and Telegraph Office was opened with Mrs S E Snowball as Postmistress. Postmasters and postmistresses changed over the twentieth century. In 1925 the Commonwealth Bank was also operating from the building. In 1994/5 major structural alterations were carried out to convert the building to a night club.

Integrity/Authenticity

Low level of authenticity as a result of adaptation to a new use.

Condition

Fair

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St John's Lutheran Church

Parent Place or Precinct

00097 Northbridge East Precinct

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The place is State Registered refer to the Register Entry Assessment Documentation The place is of aesthetic significance as a finely detailed Inter-War Gothic style building. The place is of historic significance as it is closely associated with the growth and development of the Lutheran Church in Western Australia. The place is valued by the Lutheran Church community of Perth as a centre for their religious activities. The building is one of two churches designed in the Inter-War Gothic Style by Spanney that feature the use of Darlington Laterite Stone. The place is representative of small churches dating from the early to mid-twentieth century, particularly in its use of elements of the Gothic style.

Physical Description

Church with stone walls and tiled roof; building features short tower and pyramidal roof.

History

OSt John's Church was designed by the architect Richard Spanney (Spangenberg) in c1934 using ironstone from Darlington. Prior to this, the Lutherans had a church and school in Fitzgerald Street, on a block of land granted to them for this purpose by the Government. This was soon after the arrival of their first pastor E. Fischer, in April 1901, who established the first Lutheran congregations in Western Australia. During the First World War, the Lutherans suffered considerable hostility because of their German ancestry. This resulted in a number of families returning to Europe after the War. Those who remained, undertook to build a new church with funds from the sale of some property, and with the help of members. Building materials used in the original church were re-used in the construction of the new church in Aberdeen Street. The new Church was dedicated on Sunday June 7th, 1936.

Integrity/Authenticity

Largely as originally intact with detail intact.

Condition

Fair

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Ironwork

Uses

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