Florence Hummerston Kiosk

The Florence Hummerston Kiosk is a building located at Elizabeth Quay in Perth, Western Australia. The kiosk was originally located on the Perth Esplanade, until being relocated to an islet at Elizabeth Quay. Originally constructed in 1928 as a tearoom, the kiosk was also known as the Esplanade Kiosk in addition to other names and has hosted various tenants. In 1985 it was renamed after former City of Perth councillor Florence Hummerston.[1]

Florence Hummerston Kiosk
The Kiosk at Elizabeth Quay in 2016
Former namesEsplanade Kiosk, Esplanade Tearooms, Annabella's Nightclub, The Converted Duke, Florence Hummerston Day Care Centre
General information
StatusConstructed
Architectural styleFederation Arts and Crafts
LocationElizabeth Quay
Town or cityPerth
CountryAustralia
Coordinates31°57′33″S 115°51′24″E
Current tenantsThe Island
OpenedDecember 1928 (1928-12)
Relocated2013–2015 (2015)
CostA£5,991
Renovation costA$16m
OwnerMetropolitan Redevelopment Authority
Design and construction
Architect(s)Louis Cumpston
Official nameEsplanade Reserve
TypeState Registered Place
Designated17 October 2003
Reference no.3850

History

Construction

The kiosk was originally built on reclaimed land on the northern side of the Esplanade Reserve and replaced a grandstand that had been built in 1885.[2] It was designed by Louis Bowser Cumpston in what was described by its heritage assessment as "a fine example of the Federation Arts and Crafts style, composed of interlocking octagonal forms with elliptical arched windows". The building was constructed as a tearoom and changing room for the adjoining sporting facilities.[2]

The building was approved in mid-1928 and construction was completed for a December 1928 opening. It was built for a cost of A£5,991,[3] about AU$489,000 today.

Later uses

The building has been altered at times by the Perth City Council and has hosted various tenants.[4][5] Over time it has also been known as the Esplanade Kiosk, the Esplanade Tearooms for most of the 1940s and 1950s, the Silver Dragon Restaurant and Steak House (late 1960s), Annabella's Nightclub (1977–1980), the Salvation Army youth drop-in centre The Converted Duke (1982–1985), as well as the Florence Hummerston Day Care Centre (1985–1998).[6][7][8][9][1] Before its relocation to Elizabeth Quay, the kiosk was then-occupied by the upscale Grand Palace Chinese restaurant.[10]

With the redevelopment of Esplanade Reserve in the early 1970s, the change rooms and public toilets were redesigned internally.

Relocation

Plans for the 2012 redevelopment of the Esplanade area included dismantling the original building and moving it elsewhere. The newer additions to the building (with lesser heritage values) would be demolished.[11] The kiosk was deconstructed in 2012 to make way for the excavation of the Elizabeth Quay site and was placed into storage.[1]

In November 2012, the Western Australian government confirmed the kiosk would be reconstructed on an island at the Elizabeth Quay project.[12] In March 2015 the government stated the relocation had cost A$11 million. The cost included a A$7 million compensation payout to the operator of the Grand Palace Chinese restaurant who had a 44-year lease on the building.[13] In June 2017, the government confirmed the final total cost for the relocation was A$16 million after it was revealed the compensation payout was much higher than originally stated.[10]

Elizabeth Quay was officially opened on 29 January 2016, with the kiosk reopening on 2 September 2016.[14] As of May 2023, the kiosk contains a hospitality complex.[15]

References
  1. "Florence finds new home at Elizabeth Quay". Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  2. "Place No: 03850 Esplanade Reserve". Heritage Council of Western Australia. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
  3. "Esplanade improvements". The West Australian. Perth. 23 October 1928. p. 16. Retrieved 16 March 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. "Esplanade improvements". The West Australian. Perth. 3 March 1928. p. 4. Retrieved 10 March 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. "Esplanade kiosk". The Sunday Times. Perth. 21 September 1930. p. 16. Retrieved 10 March 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. "Thistle Club". The West Australian. Perth. 1 October 1937. p. 12. Retrieved 10 March 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. "Rugby". The West Australian. Perth. 10 August 1932. p. 5. Retrieved 10 March 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. "Coming event". The West Australian. Perth. 10 June 1952. p. 6. Retrieved 10 March 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. "Silver Dragon Restaurant And Steak House, The Esplanade, Perth". Retrieved 30 May 2023 – via State Library of Western Australia.
  10. "Florence Hummerston kiosk 100m move in Elizabeth Quay costing taxpayers more than $16million". PerthNow. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  11. "Heritage". Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority. 5 April 2012. Archived from the original on 30 April 2012. Retrieved 15 April 2012.
  12. "Florence finds new home at Elizabeth Quay". Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority. 11 November 2012. Archived from the original on 19 November 2012. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
  13. O'Connor, Andrew (12 March 2015). "$11 million cost to relocate heritage-listed kiosk to Elizabeth Quay defended". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
  14. "Isle of Voyage to open at Elizabeth Quay". Business News. 1 September 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  15. "Elizabeth Quay - The Island Elizabeth Quay". DevelopmentWA. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
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