Rechabite Hall is a heritage-listed building in Perth, Western Australia, located at 224 William Street.[1] It has operated as The Rechabite since 2019.[2] It was constructed in 1924 for the Independent Order of Rechabites – a friendly society and part of the temperance movement – and was a popular dance hall in the 1920s.[2] It was also used for balls, exhibitions, church services, conferences, annual meetings, school productions, and as an election polling station.[3][4]
| Rechabite Hall | |
|---|---|
 The Rechabite Hall in January 2021 | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Heritage listed building |
| Location | Perth, Western Australia |
| Coordinates | 31°56′55″S 115°51′36″E / 31.948658°S 115.859864°E |
| Type | State Registered Place |
| Designated | 20 December 2002 |
| Reference no. | 2155 |
The hall was also a theatre venue and live music venue until it was damaged by a fire in 1980.[2] The street level remained in use as shops.[5] The building closed in the early 2000s in a state of disrepair.[2] In the interim, performances were still held there in the early 2000s.[6]
The building was listed on the City of Perth's heritage list in 2001, and on the State Register of Heritage Places in 2002. In 2016, approval was given for a $3 million refurbishment,[3] and it re-opened in November 2019[2] as four venues: a rooftop bar, a basement club, a performance hall and an eatery.[7][8]
Rechabite Hall was designed by architect Edwin Summerhayes, as his last major work, in the Inter-War Free Classical style. The facade, entry foyer and hall are particularly noteworthy examples of the style; other significant architectural features include the entry hall's mosaic tile floor, main jarrah staircase, and the main hall's vaulted ceiling – extensively lined with pressed metal embossed decorative patterns. The hall is in a generally sound condition, with a moderate degree of historical integrity and authenticity. Damage from the 1980 fire is evident, and there have been some internal modifications made in the basement and the northern shopfront.[5]
References
edit- ^ Heritage Council of Western Australia (31 December 2016). "Rechabite Hall". inHerit. Government of Western Australia. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
- ^ a b c d e Wynne, Emma (18 November 2019). "Grand temperance hall reopens, albeit with four bars, after extensive restoration". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
- ^ a b Acot, Kent (2 October 2016). "Rechabite Hall revival to turn historic Perth landmark into music bar". The West Australian. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
- ^ Young, Louise (1990), Rechabite Hall, 224 William St., Perth, retrieved 12 January 2020
- ^ a b Heritage Council of Western Australia (20 December 2002). "Register of Heritage Places - Assessment Documentation: Rechabite Hall" (PDF). Government of Western Australia. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
- ^ Vickery, Lindsay; Masel, Talya, (director.); Aislabie, Jett, (performer.); Fiebig, Taryn, (performer.); Broadbent, Andrew, (performer.); Grandage, Iain, (performer.); Green-Armytage, Emily, (performer.); Ipkendanz, Jessica, (performer.); McCusker, Kathryn, (performer.); Mahoney, Tos, (performer.); Mason, Rick, (designer.); Tanner, Paul, (performer.); Travers, Cathie, (performer.); Vickery, Maxwell, (performer.); Visosevic, Tania, (performer.); Wilson, Vikki, (designer.); Tura New Music (Firm) (production company.) (2001), Rendez-vous, performed at Rechabites Hall, Northbridge, retrieved 12 January 2020
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Strano, Taylah (30 October 2019). "The Return of The Rechabite". RTRFM. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
- ^ Tullio, Adam Di (4 January 2020). "The Rechabite reboot: Arts guru launches Northbridge entertainment hub". WAtoday. Retrieved 12 January 2020.