Empire Buildings facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Empire Buildings |
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Empire Building on the corner of York Street and Stirling Terrace
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| General information | |
| Type | Heritage listed buildings |
| Location | Albany, Western Australia |
| Coordinates | 35°01′36″S 117°53′02″E / 35.02672°S 117.88394°E |
| Type | State Registered Place |
| Designated | 7 December 2007 |
| Part of | Stirling Terrace Precinct, Albany (14922) |
| Reference no. | 77 |
The Empire Buildings, also known as the Empire Building, are a special group of buildings. They are found on the corner of Stirling Terrace and York Street in Albany. This area is in the Great Southern part of Western Australia. From the buildings, you can see Princess Royal Harbour. These buildings are important because they are listed as heritage sites.
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What Makes the Empire Buildings Special?
The Empire Buildings were built in 1912. They used to have many shops and even a cinema. The buildings show off a style called Federation Free Style architecture. This style often uses different materials together, like brick and cement. It also has a unique, unbalanced look, which is called asymmetry.
Design and Features
The buildings are two stories tall. They have a main entrance right on the corner. The front of the building, called the facade, looks a bit uneven (asymmetrical). There is a special wall at the top, called a parapet wall, which hides the roof.
The windows are grouped in interesting ways. You can also see a triangular shape at the top, called a gabled pediment. Plus, there are cool decorations along the skyline.
The Empire Theatre's Story
Before these buildings, there was a smaller house on York Street. The Empire theatre was designed by an architect named Tom Anthoness. It was built by J. Ashman and Warner.
When it first opened, the building had both a theatre and shops. The theatre was very large and could hold 1,000 people! It cost £5,000 to build. West's Picture Company owned and ran the theatre.
Theatre Fun and Comfort
The Empire Theatre was a popular place. It had refreshment stalls where you could buy snacks. There was also a "winter garden" area, which was a nice space for ladies. The theatre had a spacious "dress circle," which is a special seating area usually on an upper level.
Recent Changes to the Buildings
Over the years, the Empire Buildings have changed. In the year 2000, part of the building was turned into a nightclub. After some time, it closed down.
Then, in 2006, it reopened. A new area for drinks and snacks was added on the ground floor. The buildings continue to be an important part of Albany's history.
Images for kids
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Empire Building facade in detail
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Empire Buildings facade from Stirling Terrace
