Heritage listing for Stidworthy Residence, Mill Point Road

15/7/97

One of South Perth's most historic buildings will be listed on the register of heritage places, Heritage Minister Graham Kierath said.

Stidworthy Residence, most recently known as Ladislav's Restaurant, in Mill Point Road, is one of the few turn-of-the-century mixed use buildings to have survived in South Perth.

Mr Kierath said the shop on the ground floor was originally one of at least five tearooms which operated when the nearby Perth Zoo was created and is the only remaining example.

"Stidworthy Residence is significant for its aesthetic appeal, its contribution to the history of the area and its landmark and streetscape qualities," Mr Kierath said.

"It is part of an historic group of buildings at the corner of Mends Street and Mill Point Road which include the Windsor Hotel, the post office and former South Perth Roads Board building."

Mr Kierath said South Perth remained largely unsettled when the Swan River Colony began in 1829, until the turn of the century.

In 1898 the Acclimatisation Society set up the Zoological Gardens and by the late 1890s South Perth had a population of more than 400.

Chinese market gardens were set up along the foreshore between Onslow and Coode Streets and many of the colony's leading citizens began to move into the area.

Mr Kierath said the history of Stidworthy Residence was unclear, although it appeared to have been built around 1900.

Stidworthy migrated from England to Queensland in the early 1880s and apparently moved to Western Australia at the suggestion of Colonel Le Souef, director of the new South Perth Zoo.

Stidworthy, a builder and highly regarded stonemason, built several works at the zoo as well as the South Perth Roads Board office, now the local history library 'Heritage House' at the corner of Mends Street and Mill Point Road.

A two-storey brick and tile home with a timber-framed street facade at the first floor level, Stidworthy Residence is a mixture of building styles that were popular at the turn of the century.

Its striking design, first floor overhanging the footpath and its prominent palm trees make it a South Perth landmark.

Mr Kierath said the Stidworthys moved into the house around 1902 and Mrs Lucy Stidworthy ran tearooms from the front of the building until 1918.

Rooms were let at various times to friends and acquaintances and the family did not always live in the building.

"It was sold in 1952 to the Corica brothers, one of whom was a tailor," Mr Kierath said.

"It was last used as a business called Ladislav's Restaurant until June, 1993. Since then the building has been unoccupied.

"The sale of the building evoked much comment from the community and its subsequent deterioration has prompted a number of inquiries to the local council.

"Despite the deterioration, it is in generally good condition, particularly the exterior."

Media contact: Steve Manchee 9481 2133