Heritage House South Perth
Heritage House, formerly known as the 'Old Council Offices' and the Roads Board Building, was originally built in 1904. It was added to the Sate Register of Heritage Places in April 1999. The building is an example of civic architecture in the 'Federation Free Classical' style, enhanced by its exterior featuring a central pedimented bay and classical mouldings. Details contained in the State's Register of Heritage Places (Heritage Council inHerit site) can be viewed by clicking on the button below:
State Heritage Register Document
Heritage House Then and Now
The building as it was circa 1918, shown below, is not too dissimilar from how it looks now.
South Perth's Heritage Precinct
Heritage House forms part of a precinct of early twentieth century public buildings surrounding the junction of Mends Street, Mill Point Road and Labouchere Road. These buildings include the Windsor Hotel (1898), the Old Mill Theatre that was formerly the Mechanics Institute (1899), the former South Perth Post Office (1900) and the former South Perth Police Station (1908). Red brick with contrasting cement relief work is a common feature.
The Building's Background
The South Perth Road Board was first formed in 1892. Meetings were held in rooms rented in the new (1889) Mechanics’ Institute building, now The Old Mill Theatre. In 1903 a decision was made to build offices for the Road Board and plans were drawn up by local architect and Council Surveyor, Duncan Inverarity.
The successful tenderer was local builder, Fred Stidworthy who built Stidworthy House c1900, now Sopranos Restaurant, as residence and tearooms for his family. He was a first class stone mason who was also commissioned to design and construct stone work at the Zoological Gardens and the Perth Museum.
The first meeting at the new South Perth Road Board building was held on 17 November 1904.
In March 1914, South Perth Road Board decided to install a strong room. After careful research, the services of a Perth safe maker Bela Makutz were sought. Makutz, an Hungarian migrant, operated a steel fabrication works in Coolgardie Street, East Perth. Bennett Brothers won the tender for the construction of the strong room and Makutz supplied the door. The cost of the installation was 44 pounds, 7 shillings and sixpence.
Minor renovations were carried out to the building by GB Puttlich & Son during WWI. When the offices became crowded, two additional rooms were added at the rear of the building in 1937.
In 1989, the South Perth Historical Society was formed, and a decision was made by the City of South Perth to resume the Old Council Offices so they could be used as a centre for historical research by the local community. Extensive repairs were subsequently carried out, and on 7 June 1992, the 'Old Council Offices' were rededicated as 'South Perth Heritage House'. While still owned and maintained by the City of South Perth, this fabulous beautiful building has been home to the City of South Perth Historical Society for many years.
The special architectural features inside Heritage House, particularly the pressed metal ceiling details that are sometimes referred to as ‘pressed tin’, can be seen in the following slide show.
