Blue Waters, Perth
| Blue Waters | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Art Deco |
| Location | Western Australia, Australia |
| Address | 426 Canning Highway |
| Town or city | Como |
| Country | Australia |
| Opening | 1954 |
| Renovated | 2006 |
| Owner | David Cavanagh |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | K. D'Alton |
Blue Waters is a historic private residence located on Canning Highway in Como, Western Australia. The house was built in 1954 by Mabel and Keith Perron. Designed as a "party palace", it became the hub of the Perth social scene for many years.[1]
History
Shortly before the Second World War, the Perrons were inspired by a magazine illustration of a Florida Art Deco house design. Construction of the 1930s design was delayed until 1954 because of wartime restrictions.[1] Building materials were rationed during the war, and the design of Blue Waters involved a greater quantity of brickwork and glass than the quotas allowed. To overcome the handicap, Keith Perron established a brickworks.[2] Other technical challenges could not be met in Australia, the curved glass windows and frames having to be shipped from the U.K.[2]
The house became both a social hub and a landmark outside which tour buses would regularly pause.[1] On a return trip from Darwin, the Perrons' two young sons brought back two baby crocodiles in a shoe box, and set up a small pond in the backyard for them. One was later donated to the Perth Zoo after venturing outside the property.[2] Daughter Judith had a modelling career and used the house for photographic shoots. A cousin, Marshall Perron lived there for a while as a young man before establishing himself as a Northern Territory politician and chief minister.
In 1961 the house, complete with its original furniture, was sold to Joy and Eric Lillingston for ₤12,500 (A$25,000).[2] In 1965, it was bought by a bookmaker named Bodica, and later by a Mr Sowden who was the deputy mayor of Fremantle.[2] In the 1970s, the Norvillas family acquired it and stayed for 35 years before selling in 2006 to David Cavanagh.[2] Cavanagh contacted the original owners for their advice in restoring the property to its original condition.[2]
The house was listed on the Municipal Heritage Inventory of the City of South Perth in December 1994, affording it a "high level of protection" under the City of South Perth Town Planning Scheme.[3] The statement of significance for the house's registration noted its "aesthetic, representative and rarity cultural heritage significance".[4]
Design
The building was designed by architect K. D'Alton,[5] and has featured in national reference books on Australian architecture for its interwar design features and its distinctive curved glass windows.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 De Brito, Raquel (2010-12-23). "'Party palace' Blue Waters on market". The West Australian. Retrieved 2012-08-19.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 David Cavanagh (2012). "The Life and Times of Blue Waters". Retrieved 2012-08-19.
- ↑ Listed Places in Precinct 9: Como – City of South Perth Municipal Heritage Inventory. Published March 2000. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
- ↑ Blue Waters - House at State Heritage Office. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
- ↑ Blue Waters at bluewatersperth.com.au (The spelling of the name is interpreted from the architect's stylised signature on his colour drawing.)
Coordinates: 32°00′08″S 115°51′41″E / 32.0022°S 115.8615°E