Rechabite Hall, Perth

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
TypeHeritage listed building
LocationPerth, Western Australia
Coordinates31.948658°S 115.859864°E / -31.948658; 115.859864 (Rechabite Hall)
TypeState Registered Place
Designated20 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
  1. Heritage Council of Western Australia (31 December 2016). "Rechabite Hall". inHerit. Government of Western Australia. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  2. 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.
  3. Acot, Kent (2 October 2016). "Rechabite Hall revival to turn historic Perth landmark into music bar". The West Australian. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  4. Young, Louise (1990), Rechabite Hall, 224 William St., Perth, retrieved 12 January 2020
  5. 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.
  6. 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 2020CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. Strano, Taylah (30 October 2019). "The Return of The Rechabite". RTRFM. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  8. Tullio, Adam Di (4 January 2020). "The Rechabite reboot: Arts guru launches Northbridge entertainment hub". WAtoday. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
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