Avon Buildings 1914-Current
In response to the Statewide requirement to remove veranda posts along the street edge, in August 1965 The Beverly Times remarked:
“Last week after a local contractor had removed the old veranda at Mrs. Olive Wreathall's 'Avon Buildings' tradesmen from Perth arrived at the week-end and replaced the original structure with a new type of aluminium cantilever, which we understand is considerably cheaper to construct than the conventional type. There has been some conjecture among the public as to whether the type of construction would survive a really big ‘blow’. That, however, is one of the imponderables that time will have to answer.”
Avon Buildings is a row of five shops under an expansive stepped parapet. The shops have different sized frontages with the three at the west end having a central door flanked by shopfront display windows, and the two east end shops with a single door and shopfront display window.
Prior to the existing building, in the early 1900s, a timber framed drapery store occupied the corner site.
Avon Buildings opened in 1914, financed by Norman W Broun and constructed by J Fettes who had built the Beverley Post Office.
In 1923 the local chemist, Mr. R. D. Wreathall acquired Avon Buildings. The owners of the newspaper, The Beverley Times, immediately negotiated to extend the corner shop to accommodate the printing press.
Other shops have included good and services such as Newsagency, National Bank of Australasia, Beverley Clothing & Boot Palace, Beverley Cash Grocer, Save-Way Store, Ford’s Electrical & Radio Supplies, Barrister & Solicitor, Tailor, tearooms, hairdresser and chemist.
Mr. Wreathall owned the building until he passed away in 1952 when Mrs. Olive Wreathall inherited it.
In 1965, as a Statewide requirement, the Beverley Shire Council ordered veranda post supports along the street edge in Vincent Street be removed.
Avon Buildings is a substantial intact example of interwar architecture that makes a considerable contribution to the historic significance of Vincent Street.
“Last week after a local contractor had removed the old veranda at Mrs. Olive Wreathall's 'Avon Buildings' tradesmen from Perth arrived at the week-end and replaced the original structure with a new type of aluminium cantilever, which we understand is considerably cheaper to construct than the conventional type. There has been some conjecture among the public as to whether the type of construction would survive a really big ‘blow’. That, however, is one of the imponderables that time will have to answer.”
Avon Buildings is a row of five shops under an expansive stepped parapet. The shops have different sized frontages with the three at the west end having a central door flanked by shopfront display windows, and the two east end shops with a single door and shopfront display window.
Prior to the existing building, in the early 1900s, a timber framed drapery store occupied the corner site.
Avon Buildings opened in 1914, financed by Norman W Broun and constructed by J Fettes who had built the Beverley Post Office.
In 1923 the local chemist, Mr. R. D. Wreathall acquired Avon Buildings. The owners of the newspaper, The Beverley Times, immediately negotiated to extend the corner shop to accommodate the printing press.
Other shops have included good and services such as Newsagency, National Bank of Australasia, Beverley Clothing & Boot Palace, Beverley Cash Grocer, Save-Way Store, Ford’s Electrical & Radio Supplies, Barrister & Solicitor, Tailor, tearooms, hairdresser and chemist.
Mr. Wreathall owned the building until he passed away in 1952 when Mrs. Olive Wreathall inherited it.
In 1965, as a Statewide requirement, the Beverley Shire Council ordered veranda post supports along the street edge in Vincent Street be removed.
Avon Buildings is a substantial intact example of interwar architecture that makes a considerable contribution to the historic significance of Vincent Street.