Lawson Flats (Sherwood Court) listed on heritage register

3/7/95

Heritage Minister Richard Lewis today announced the 300th listing on the State Register of Heritage Places.

Mr Lewis said Lawson Flats in Sherwood Court, which was once home to some of Perth's wealthiest and most famous people, had been listed on an interim basis following a recommendation from the Heritage Council of Western Australia.

"The 300th listing is an important milestone in the plan to preserve the State's heritage," he said.

"The significant achievement ensures that future generations will be surrounded by WA's history."

The Minister said the building was a unique combination of an architecturally impressive city landmark and an apartment block.

"When constructed in 1937, Lawson Flats was regarded as the first luxury apartment block to be built in Perth and was one of the first signs of recovery from the Great Depression," he said.

"The eleven-storey building is a rare example of a late 1930s inner city residential development."

Other buildings constructed in Perth at the time included London Court, Piccadilly Arcade and Theatre, Gledden Building, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Royal WA Institute of the Blind, Criterion Hotel, and the Como Theatre.

Mr Lewis said Lawson Flats was a fine example of Inter-War Commercial Palazzo style architecture.

The lofty stature of the double palazzi, rising from the three-storey base,was a city landmark. The massive and grand form of the building also made an important contribution to the streetscape of Sherwood Court and The Esplanade.

Mr Lewis said Lawson Flats was designed by Melbourne-based architects Hennessy and Company, in association with Perth-based designer Reginald Summerhayes.

"The building has been home to a large number of prominent Western Australians, including politicians, eminent legal figures, foreign diplomats, high-ranking military officers and wealthy businessmen," the Minister said.

"The list of residents includes former Premier Sir Hal Colebatch, Air Commander Raymond Brownell, journalist and lawyer Horace Jackson QC, businessman Alexander Monger OBE, and pioneer engineer Geoffrey Drake-Brockman and his wife Henrietta, the historian who unravelled the mystery of the Batavia.

"Lawson Flats was also the base for the Perth Club, which was formed in 1840 and occupied part of the ground floor, the first and second floors for many years."

In 1984 the Karrakatta Club, which was a private women's club, moved into the inner city premises and still operates from there today along with the exclusive Luis Restaurant.

In 1986 a Perth developer purchased Lawson Flats and renovated the apartments.

On completion in 1987 he offered the 32 renovated apartments for sale on a strata title basis and they sold in seven days for a total of $7 million.

Mr Lewis said the building was still home to wealthy entrepreneurs and a number of apartments were leased to short-term tenants.

Media contact: Bronwyn Hillman 222 9595, 221 1377