Perth Voice Interactive

THE Cook government has granted the owners of the historic Beaucott Building in Mt Lawley $50,000 for some TLC.

Part of the state’s annual heritage grants program, the money will go towards repointing the brickwork, replacing the roofing and gutters, and painting, which could alleviate the “ad hoc paint colour scheme” which the WA Heritage Council reckons blights the ground floor.

Designed by prominent Perth architect William Bennett, the Beaucott Building was the first constructed on the prominent Beaufort and Walcott Street intersection, starting in 1905, and the first to get a makeover into the “inter war functionalist style” that came to be a distinct character of the precinct.

According to its state heritage listing from 2001, it is “a good example of a modest early 20th century building extended and reconstructed in the inter war functionalist style of architecture that has retained a high level of integrity and authenticity”.

Bennett, who was also known for his art deco designs, was responsible for the Raffles Hotel and the Plaza Theatre and Arcade in Perth.

Other Perth building up for some heritage funding include the The Savoy Hotel which will get a $38,000 awning restoration, the former North Perth Fire Station which will get a $2800 conservation strategy, St John’s Lutheran Church for a $7000 repair appraisal, the McNess Royal Arcade for a $16,000 conservation plan and a private residence at 52 Mount Street which will get $6500 for a conservation strategy.