London Court (Perth) to have permanent heritage protection

18/10/96

Perth's historic London Court on St George's Terrace will be permanently protected under State heritage laws.

Heritage Minister Richard Lewis said London Court, constructed in 1936, had been permanently listed on the State Register of Heritage Places by the Heritage Council of Western Australia.

Mr Lewis said the two-storey shopping arcade and office complex was a distinctive landmark in the city and contributed to the streetscape of both the Terrace and

Hay Street.

London Court was opened on July 29, 1937 by the Lieutenant Governor, Sir James Mitchell, who said the place was an important affirmation of British culture and commented on its uniqueness in Australia.

Mr Lewis said London Court was representative of the Inter-War Old English style of architecture.

"Its construction was a key part of an intensive building program which signalled that the construction industry in Perth had recovered from the economic depression in the first half of the 1930s," he said.

"The place is historically associated with the development of the shopping precinct of Hay Street and the construction of shopping arcades as a medium for north-south pedestrian movement through the city."

London Court is designed in an imitation Tudor style with huge wrought iron gates at each entrance and half timbered walling to the arcade. The gabled roofs, weather cocks and leadlighting also contributed to the creation of a Tudor style.

The place comprises a basement, ground and three floors at each end, while the central spine of the arcade is two storeys in height and open air in the centre, creating the effect of a narrow street. It originally had 53 shops, 55 offices and 24 flats.

Minor changes have been made over the years. Some of the offices and shops have been combined and all the four-room flats, other than the caretaker's quarters, have been converted into storage areas and office spaces for the shops.

"London Court is a rare example of an open air city arcade and deserves heritage protection," Mr Lewis said.

Media contact: Bronwyn Hillman 222 9595, 221 1377