Nurses Memorial Centre (Kathleen Reidy House)
Although it is now used as commercial offices, 34 Kings Park Road was once a fashionable residence called ‘Fiona’ and which had been built for William Henry Vincent in 1899. Vincent was among those who moved to Western Australia from the Eastern States to take advantage of the gold boom. He quickly established himself in the building trade and erected some of the most significant buildings of the era.
In the 1890s, prestige houses were being erected in West Perth. Residences such as those constructed for Vincent demonstrated the wealth and importance of a person in Perth society. Vincent’s residence, constructed in 1899, comprised ‘nine habitable rooms’ and was 240 square metres in size. A ballroom added in 1910, cost £500.
In February 1960, the house was sold to the Royal Australian Nursing Federation for office accommodation. This change of use, from residential to commercial, was part of a pattern that saw the once fashionable Perth residential district of West Perth make way for commercial retail buildings, especially in St. George’s Terrace.
These areas became less desirable for living, and affluent city dwellers moved to more salubrious areas such as Crawley Bay and Mount Lawley. Larger houses were sometimes converted into commercial offices, although many were demolished to make way for multi-storied office buildings.
Although it is now used as commercial offices, 34 Kings Park Road was once a fashionable residence called ‘Fiona’ and which had been built for William Henry Vincent in 1899.
Vincent was among those who moved to Western Australia from the Eastern States to take advantage of the gold boom. He quickly established himself in the building trade and erected some of the most significant buildings of the era, including the Supreme Court, additions to the Public Hospital, several warehouse blocks, the Horseshoe Bridge, and Dalgety’s at Fremantle.
In the 1890s, the new wealth meant that more prestige houses were being erected in West Perth. The new architecture of the 1890s-1910 also saw the introduction of telephones, gas, lighting, electricity, reticulated water supply, sewerage, as well as a wide range of new building materials and construction techniques. New roads were built to join West Perth to Subiaco, the most important of which was Brookton Street, renamed Kings Park Road in 1901.
Residences such as those constructed for Vincent demonstrated the wealth and importance of a person in Perth society. Vincent certainly had a high standing in the community, being President of Master Builders’ Association, Chairman of Children’s Hospital Board and a member of the Weld Club, WA Club and WA Turf Club.
Vincent’s residence, constructed in 1899, comprised ‘nine habitable rooms’ and was 240 square metres in size. A ballroom added in 1910, cost £500, and was designed by architect George McMullen. The two were linked by a roofed breezeway.
Since 1899, 34 Kings Park Road only changed hands a few times before February 1960, when it was sold to the Royal Australian Nursing Federation for office accommodation. This
change of use, from residential to commercial, was part of a pattern that saw the once fashionable Perth residential district of West Perth make way for commercial retail buildings, especially in St. George’s Terrace.
These areas became less desirable for living, and affluent city dwellers moved to more salubrious areas such as Crawley Bay and Mount Lawley. Larger houses were sometimes converted into commercial offices, although many were demolished to make way for multi-storied office buildings.
Today, 34 Kings Park Road retains its original look as a grand residence, even though it is currently used as commercial offices.
West Australian 20 December 1907
Sunday Times 23 September 1928
Daily News 7 April 1937