Tom Burke House

Tom Burke House at 153 Newcastle Street, Perth is one of the city's longest-running social housing buildings and reflects more than a century of changing approaches to accommodation, welfare and community support within inner-city Perth.

Construction

Built in 1898 as a large two-storey residence comprising three houses, it was constructed during a period of rapid growth associated with Western Australia's Gold Rush era.

At the time, this part of Perth, now known as Northbridge, was primarily a residential area with substantial homes built for wealthy professionals who wanted to live close to the city centre. Over time, the area gradually evolved into a mixed-use district containing homes, boarding houses, businesses and institutions.

Louis Bowser Cumpston

Tom Burke House was designed by Louis Bowser Cumpston (1865–1931), a prominent Western Australian architect who practised during the Gold Rush era. Although not as widely recognised today as architects such as Joseph John Talbot Hobbs or George Temple-Poole, he was responsible for designing numerous buildings throughout Perth and regional Western Australia, including hotels, churches, commercial buildings and private residences.

Many of his works have since been demolished, however surviving examples attributed to him include:

Mitchell's Buildings (1912) - 136-142 on William Street, Perth
Ocean Beach Hotel (1902) - 140 Marine Parade, Cottesloe
St Columba's Presbyterian Church (1909) - 16B Keane St, Peppermint Grove
Parkerville Tavern (1902) - 6 Owen Rd, Parkerville
Gosnells Hotel (1905) - 2149 Albany Hwy, Gosnells
Exchange Hotel (1907) - 22 Blackwood Rd, Greenbushes
Boyup Brook Hotel (1911) - 74 Abel St, Boyup Brook
Railway Hotel (1912) - 19 Gray St, Mullewa
Salmon Gums Hotel (1926) - 18 Rogers St, Salmon Gums
Nungarin Hotel/The Woolshed Hotel (1927) - 58 Railway Ave, Nungarin
Florence Hummerston Kiosk (1928) - The Island restaurant in Elizabeth Quay

House 2 - Ground Floor

Architectural design

Federation Queen Anne architecture became popular in Perth during the late 1890s, a period of enormous growth driven by the Gold Rushes in Kalgoorlie and Coolgardie. Perth's population increased rapidly, wealth flowed into the city and there was strong demand for impressive homes, hotels and commercial buildings. The style became associated with prosperity, modernity and permanence at a time when Perth was transforming from a small colonial settlement into a growing city.

For wealthy professionals living close to the city centre, just building a practical house was not enough. Homes were designed to be visually impressive and reflect the status and success of their owners.

Despite its name, Federation Queen Anne architecture has very little to do with Queen Anne, who reigned between 1702 and 1714. The style originated in Britain during the late nineteenth century before becoming one of Australia's most popular architectural styles between 1890 and 1915. It combined elements of English domestic architecture with Australian materials and design features, suited to the local climate.

Common characteristics include asymmetrical facades rather than perfectly balanced designs, decorative brickwork and limestone detailing, prominent verandahs, timber fretwork, tall chimneys, arched windows, gabled roofs, decorative rooflines and projecting sections that create visual interest across the facade. In Western Australia, local materials also heavily influenced the appearance of the style, particularly the use of limestone, brick and timber.

The style was particularly well suited to Perth's climate and growing identity. Large verandahs provided shade, high ceilings improved ventilation and generous windows allowed air to circulate throughout the building. At the same time, Perth was trying to present itself as a modern and prosperous city rather than a small colonial town. Substantial homes built close to the city centre helped reinforce that image.

Tom Burke House was constructed during this period when Newcastle Street was still largely a residential area. Rather than being designed as social housing, it was originally built as a substantial terrace of three houses intended for middle and upper-middle class residents, who wanted to live close to the city centre while reflecting the prosperity and confidence of Perth during the Gold Rush era.

House 3 - Ground Floor

City of Perth requirements

Contrary to what many people might think, a vacant or abandoned building in the City of Perth is not legally required to have a working smoke detector or smoke alarm.

Under Western Australian law, smoke alarm requirements are generally based on how a property is being used, rather than being a blanket requirement that applies to every building.

Property owners are only legally required to install and maintain compliant smoke alarms when certain trigger events occur. These include before a property is sold or ownership is transferred, before it is leased or rented to a tenant, or if the building was newly constructed or underwent major building work requiring approval after 1 July 1997.

If a building is vacant, abandoned and not being sold, rented or occupied, the automatic smoke alarm requirements under Regulations 56, 58 and 59 of the Building Regulations 2012 generally do not apply.

However, this does not mean property owners have no responsibilities. Under the Local Government Act 1995 and local health laws, owners are still required to ensure their property is secure, structurally safe and does not become a public hazard. This includes taking reasonable steps to prevent it from becoming a fire risk, attracting vandalism, illegal activity or being occupied by squatters.

Tom Burke House - 153 Newcastle Street Perth (House 1 Ground Floor)

Tenants & Ownership

From the time construction was completed, the building housed a variety of tenants who largely operated boarding houses, lodgings and apartments, as well as at least two medical practices. While ownership is difficult to establish without reviewing Perth City Council rate books and land title records, some online sources suggest the Green family retained ownership of the property until the 1930s.

Much of the difficulty in tracing the building's tenants throughout its history comes from inconsistencies between historical maps and directories. A number of city maps identify the property as No. 71, while Wise's Directories appear to refer to a different numbering system altogether. It is possible that No. 71 refers to a lot number rather than a street address, however this has been difficult to verify due to the lack of supporting sources.

The situation is further complicated by the City of Perth's renumbering of streets in 1908. Based on the information currently available, it is possible the terrace was known as Nos. 189–193 Newcastle Street, rather than 187–191, from around 1908 through to at least 1949, although this requires further research to confirm.

Throughout much of the twentieth century, the building provided low-cost accommodation for single people and those experiencing housing insecurity. It eventually came under government ownership in around 1988 and operated as a Homeswest lodging house. Today, it is owned by the State of Western Australia.

Timeline

1897

October 01 – Architect Louis Bowser Cumpston advertises a large balconied house comprising seven rooms, a bathroom and washhouse at a "new terrace" on Newcastle Street near Hutt Street (later renamed William Street). At the time, Mr and Mrs Cumpston were living in a house known as Verona on Lamb Street, which later appears to have become 40 Aberdeen Street.

November 16 – Cumpston advertises the sale of his black horse from the Cumpston Terrace, Newcastle Street address.

December 3 – Mrs Cumpston advertises a furnished two-storey house on Newcastle Street, described as suitable for a professional man and located three doors from William Street.

Based on the information currently available, it is possible the terrace was known as Nos. 189–193 Newcastle Street,

rather than 187–191, from around 1908 through to at least 1949, although this requires further research to confirm.

(Possible different street numbers in 1898)

125 (1907) changed to 187 (1908)

1899 – N/A

1900-1912 – Alfred W Wallder

1913-1923 – Mrs Anne Smith

1924-1940 – Mrs M Smith

1941 – Miss I McQuade

1942-1949 – Mrs Maud Putt (apartments)

127 (1907) changed to 189 (1908)

1899-1900 – Mrs Annie Strutt (boarding house)