![cover image](https://wikiwandv2-19431.kxcdn.com/_next/image?url=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c5/Empire_Building_facade.jpg/640px-Empire_Building_facade.jpg&w=640&q=50)
Empire Buildings
Group of heritage buildings in Albany, Western Australia / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Empire Buildings , also often referred to as the Empire Building, are a group of heritage listed buildings on the corner of Stirling Terrace and York Street overlooking Princess Royal Harbour in Albany in the Great Southern region of Western Australia.
Empire Buildings | |
---|---|
Empire Building on the corner of York Street and Stirling Terrace | |
![]() | |
General information | |
Type | Heritage listed buildings |
Location | Albany, Western Australia |
Coordinates | 35.02672°S 117.88394°E / -35.02672; 117.88394 (Empire Buildings) |
Type | State Registered Place |
Designated | 7 December 2007 |
Part of | Stirling Terrace Precinct, Albany (14922) |
Reference no. | 77 |
![Thumb image](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c5/Empire_Building_facade.jpg/640px-Empire_Building_facade.jpg)
The buildings were constructed in 1912,[1] and once comprised a group of shops and a cinema. The buildings have elements of Federation Free Style architectural design such as asymmetry and use of two contrasting building materials of brick and cement render.[2]
Replacing a single storied bungalow structure that faced York Street,[1] the Empire theatre was designed by architect Tom Anthoness and was built by J. Ashman and Warner.[3] Initially the building held a theatre and shops. The theatre was able to hold 1,000 people.[1] The theatre cost £5,000 and was owned and operated by West's Picture Company. It boasted refreshment stalls, a winter garden for ladies and a spacious dress circle.[4]
Features of the two storey building include a corner entrance, asymmetrical facade, parapet wall concealing roof, informal groupings of windows, gabled pediment and decorative skyline features.[1]
In 2000 a portion of the building was converted to a nightclub.[2] It was closed for some time and reopened to include a bar on the ground floor in 2006.[5]