Sitting on the corner of Sherwood Crt and the Esplanade.. built in the inter-war Art Deco Style in the 1930's as the WA HQ's of the Atlas Assurance Co. Ltd. it is a treasure trove of architectural delights! The biggest disappointment was that the life-sized figure of Atlas supporting the globe was removed in 1969 when the building's roof design changed, it was found that one of the arms was loose, holding up the world takes it's toll:) and as the company didn't want to repair it, it was taken home by the architect, it is possible it may find it's way back at some point, I really hope so. The second level is home to the Museum of Perth, if you have a look here you will see the most marvelous b&w photo of the 1954 royal visit to Perth as seen from the roof of The Atlas
Building. Please have a look, the foreshore, now home to Elizabeth Quay is very different..
I felt a little giddy with Art Deco vapours from the moment I walked into the foyer.. the wall design, the bench, the floor.. the original bronze Commonwealth of Australia letter box..
... and then there was the lift, the white marble staircase..but more about that tomorrow :) Happy Thursday, take care and stay safe.. P.s. this ending feels like one of those foreign movies than I enjoy so much, except for the abrupt closure :)
An exquisitely beautiful building.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful building! Arianna
ReplyDeletenice pictures,i like a lot the first one! EW
ReplyDeleteI agree with William!
ReplyDeleteThose old photos are amazing. It's so interesting see how this building used to be the tallest on the block way back then. Look at it now. It's surrounded by giants. Your photos from inside remind me that I need to visit a certain art deco building in downtown Phoenix. I'm sure there are treasures waiting to be found.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post! Love this building and art deco buildings in particular, probably because they were the "deal" when I was growing up! Love, too, that photo of Perth from the building. So sad that Atlas himself had to go. Perhaps the architect is going to figure out a way to fix Atlas. I mean, really! Atlas? Got to be done!
ReplyDeleteYou got the vapours? You got giddy. You got a great sense of humour! (Or, as we barbarians in Florida would say, "humor." Actually, some of our elected morons would probably spell it humore.) :)
The dark wood works out so well with all those details.
ReplyDeleteLove that bench. Any letter from that box would have an air of importance about it!
ReplyDeleteOh Grace, it's absolutely wonderful! All those details and that elevator. Reminds me of the ones I used to ride when I was little. I visited the link and its amazing how different the surrounding area looked back then.
ReplyDeleteSuch an exquisite building. Love the bench and the letter box. You see all those features in the old b&w movies from the 40s. It's amazing how the city landscape has changed around the building. It's so small now compared to the giants.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post, Grace!
I adore such old buildings
ReplyDelete...certainly nicer than what surrounds it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous place!
ReplyDeleteThe other day my hubby and I was at someone home and they had an old mail box like that.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on
Oh, I very sure hope Atlas comes back, Grace! What a wonderful piece altogether with all those details! Beautiful! Isn´t such a mailbox also in Forrest Chase? My Perth-list just grew again :-)
ReplyDeleteWow, what a terrific building. Love the looks of the lobby. Looks like the buildings around it dominate the block.
ReplyDeleteA primeira fotografia tem um enquadramento fantástico.
ReplyDeleteUm abraço e boa semana.
Andarilhar
Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
Livros-Autografados
I'm like you, would have loved for the Atlas to be in place on top of the building, holding up the world right now.
ReplyDeleteJanis
GDP
A beautiful look inside the building. Such nice decorated items.
ReplyDeleteAppreciation of history is a special gift; many bloggers share it and I love that you not only told us a bit of history, but the photos are interesting and fun. I maxed the bench and the armrests fascinate me. Any information on it? Also love the letter box. Isn't it sad that while improving the world in the name of progress we lose so much that is worthy to keep?
ReplyDeleteVauu... the letter box and the lift are so wonderful.
ReplyDeleteLooks brilliant inside!
ReplyDeleteI want that post box LOL. Great photos. Diane
ReplyDeleteOh this does look a lovely building ...
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Fabulous building!
ReplyDeleteWow - stunning!
ReplyDeleteStunning, indeed!
ReplyDelete