Demolition order upsets heritage experts

Art Deco Society WA President Vyonne Geneve and Vice President Ron Facius outside the Michelides Tobacco building on the corner of Roe Street and Lake Street. Picture: Simon Santi/The West Australian

Heritage experts have criticised a decision by City of Perth planners to demolish a Northbridge landmark, one of the last remaining buildings of its style and type in the city.

The former Michelides Tobacco Factory, on the corner of Roe and Lake streets, is the only factory building in WA remodelled in the inter-war Art Deco style.

Pelworth Pty, owned by Northbridge businessman Graham Hardie, wants to demolish the building and use the land as a construction site and parking lot while the adjoining Varga Lounge nightclub is renovated.

Pelworth plans to redevelop the site in the "near future" but no plans have been lodged.

The City's planning committee this week approved the demolition. Councillor Rob Butler said that because the building was not heritage-listed the committee had to consider the demolition in the context of orderly and proper planning and the wider amenity of the area.

"Given the building's dilapidated and dangerous state, it was considered appropriate for it to be demolished," he said.

The building was considered for interim State Heritage listing last year, but Heritage Minister Albert Jacob decided against it despite advice from the State Heritage Office that the building had historic, social and aesthetic values. Only one of these values needs to be met for the place to be considered for inclusion on the register.

National Trust of Australia WA chief executive Tom Perrigo said the case highlighted the fact that Perth's heritage was still threatened despite recommendations from experts.

Mr Perrigo said the building was also assessed by the Trust and classified as a significant heritage icon.

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Demolition order upsets heritage experts