Perth Voice Interactive

AN iconic Tudor-style property in West Perth is in line to be demolished, making way for an eight-storey luxury apartment complex.

The house was built for prominent accountant, political fundraiser and tennis player James Sinclair McGibbon, who lived there until his death in 1943.

A long-time president of the Kings Park Tennis Club (which named its gates and a stand in his honour), Mr McGibbon was involved in the National Union which raised funds for “combating communist activity and industrial lawlessness,” according to the Australian Dictionary of Biography.

The proposed site for the six posh units (with three car bays each) means they’ll overlook the house of US consul-general Cynthia Griffin, who neighbours an eight-storey block on the other side.

Perth city council’s expert design advisory committee had a look over the plans and it didn’t sound too keen, with members unanimously expressing “concerns about the general design and aesthetic quality of the development, particularly given its prominent and prestigious location”.

The committee advised the facade is “aggressive” and would prefer “a well resolved, finely detailed, elegant building that utilises appropriate and high quality materials”.

Owner JM Eastwood was asked to liaise with the city’s architect to come up with something more schmick.

by DAVID BELL