Commercial Building, 309 Newcastle Street
A prominent landmark on the corner of Newcastle and Palmerston Streets, this two-storey shop and attached residence was erected in 1907 and first used as a furniture store. On the same lot, alongside it on Newcastle Street, was a yard used by Australian Wood and Coal and for many years this would continue to be used as a timber yard.
The first tenant to occupy No. 309 was William Henry Newman who ran his furniture business from the premises until the mid to late 1920s. It is likely that Newman, and other retailers who subsequently operated from the place, lived on the shop premises. After Newman’s departure, No. 309 was used for ‘mixed business’, in other words a deli.
After 1987, the premises were rented to Stan Jarvis who ran a wallpaper business there for many years. On his retirement the business was taken over by Keith Riddle who also continued to operate as a wallpaper specialist for the next fifteen years or so. Following his death in the early 1990s, Mr Riddle’s widow sold the business to George Elvin, a wallpaper specialist who established Wallpaper World in the building around 1993.
In 2000, the East Perth Redevelopment Authority took over ownership of the property, and it remains a significant landmark in the area.
A prominent landmark on the corner of Newcastle and Palmerston Streets, this two-storey shop and attached residence was erected in 1907 and first used as a furniture store. On the same lot, alongside it on Newcastle Street, was a yard used by Australian Wood and Coal and for many years this would continue to be used as a timber yard.
The first tenant to occupy No. 309 was William Henry Newman who ran his furniture business from the premises until the mid to late 1920s. It is likely that Newman, and other retailers who subsequently operated from the place, lived on the shop premises. The attached two-storey residence at No. 23 Palmerston Street was separately leased, and its first resident was Mrs Katherine Keogh. The rate books suggest that the ground floor of 23 Palmerston Street may have been used as a tea rooms. After Newman’s departure, No. 309 was used for ‘mixed business’, in other words a deli.
Following the release of plans to develop a northern bypass, large tracts of land and properties between Newcastle and Aberdeen Streets were resumed by the government, including 309 Newcastle Street and its associated residence in 1987. The properties were then leased out by the government for a low rate. Because the future of these properties was uncertain, little to no maintenance was undertaken.
The premises were rented to Stan who ran a wallpaper business there for many years. On his retirement the business was taken over by Keith Riddle who also continued to operate as a wallpaper specialist for the next fifteen years or so. Following his death in the early 1990s, Mr Riddle’s widow sold the business to George Elvin, a wallpaper specialist who established Wallpaper World in the building around 1993.
In 2000, the East Perth Redevelopment Authority took over ownership of the property, and it remains a significant landmark in the area.
Truth 4 July 1908
West Australian 23 February 1932