Address: 659 Beaufort St, Mount Lawley

Constructed: 1914 with renovations till 1992

Demolition Year: N/A

Architect: David McClure, William Leighton (Renovations) and Phillip McAllister (Renovations)

Architectural Styles: Inter-War Art Deco, Inter-War Functionalism

Original Use (Commercial and Recreational): Shop/Retail Store & Theatre or Cinema

Present Use (Commercial and Recreational): Shop/Retail Store & Theatre or Cinema

Statement of Significance: Astor Theatre, a one, two and three-storey masonry Inter-war Art Deco style public and retail building, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: the place is a fine example of Inter-war Art Deco design and has high aesthetic value, both internally and externally; the place demonstrates design excellence in its own right, and the mode of the day; Register of Heritage Places – Permanent Entry Astor Theatre 2 14/05/1999 the place is highly valued by the Mount Lawley community for its social associations as an entertainment venue, and by the general community for its aesthetic presentation as a fine example of Art Deco design; the place is illustrative of the resurgence of hope and prosperity between the Depression and World War Two; the place is closely associated with the Alexander family who were involved in the original construction of the place as well as its remodeling in Art Deco style. It is also closely associated with architect William Leighton, who designed many of Western Australia's cinemas during the 1930s; the place combines with the Alexander and Beaucott Buildings opposite to form a significant streetscape; and, the architecture and exuberant interior of the place enhances the cinematic experience of the patron by helping to foster a sense of occasion and celebration. The structures which replaced the picture gardens are not of heritage significance.

Source: Register of Heritage Places-Permanent Entry: Astor Theatre. May 5th, 1999. Heritage Council of Western Australia.

City of Provenance: City of Stirling