Interim heritage listing for London Court

29/5/96

One of Perth's most famous landmarks, London Court, has been placed on the State Register of Heritage Places.

Heritage Minister Richard Lewis said London Court had been listed on an interim basis following a recommendation from the Heritage Council of Western Australia.

Mr Lewis said London Court was closely linked with the development of the shopping precinct of Hay Street and with the construction of shopping arcades in the city.

"London Court is also one of Perth's most popular and best-known tourist attractions," he said.

"It was conceived as a way of linking the Railway Station in Wellington Street with the Esplanade.

"Sherwood Place to the south and Plaza Arcade to the north would provide a direct north-south connection for pedestrian traffic through the city."

Mr Lewis said London Court was built in 1937 by entrepreneur and miner Claude de Bernales. Its construction was a sign that the WA economy had recovered from the Great Depression.

"The entrepreneur spared no expense in making London Court one of the premier sites in the city," the Minister said.

"It cost £100,000 and comprised 53 shops, 55 offices and 24 residential flats."

Mr Lewis said a special feature of the construction was the positioning of clocks at both ends.

"Above the Hay Street entrance is a replica of the face of Big Ben and in St George's Terrace there is a reproduction of La Gross Horage of Rouen," he said.

"Both clocks are animated and as they were made by the Synachrome Company of London, at a cost of £4,000, they were the only part of London Court not locally produced."

London Court, described at the time as an 'oasis in the desert of our materialism', was opened on July 29, 1937 by Lieutenant Governor Sir James Mitchell.

Mr Lewis said the opening was celebrated with a three-day 'Old English Fayre', which attracted thousands of visitors.

"Built in a richly detailed Tudor pastiche, London Court was nevertheless a thoroughly modern building," he said.

Its shops, offices and residential flats contained the latest in modern conveniences. The residential flats consisted of a large living room, bedrooms, kitchenette and bathroom and had a front entrance staircase with a landing in the court.

Mr Lewis said the construction of London Court was a key part of an intensive building program which signalled that the construction industry had recovered from the Depression.

Other buildings of this era included the Emu Brewery, Piccadilly Arcade and Theatre, the Gledden Building and the Como Theatre.

The Minister said that while the residential flats were no longer used for that purpose, London Court remained virtually intact.

"It is in very good condition and retains high levels of integrity and authenticity," he said.

"London Court is a much-loved and visited Perth landmark with historic links and deserves to be recognised as a place of high heritage value."

Media contact: Bronwyn Hillman 222 9595, 221 1377