An Interwar Art Deco landmark in Northbridge, this industrial building was transformed through successive phases into Perth’s most distinctive modernist factory.
At a glance
A striking example of Art Deco applied to industrial architecture, the Michelides Tobacco Factory represented a bold reimagining of manufacturing space during the interwar years. The building underwent staged construction from the early 1920s through the mid-1930s, evolving as production demands shifted.
History
Built in stages between the early 1920s and mid-1930s for tobacco manufacturing, the factory later served as the Peters Ice Cream Factory before becoming the Tony Barlow Menswear Building. At the time of its demolition, it stood as Perth’s sole surviving industrial structure to have been remodelled in the Art Deco style—a distinction that underscored both its architectural ambition and the rarity of such stylistic choices in working-class precincts.
What you see
The building embodied Art Deco principles within an industrial framework, combining geometric forms, streamlined surfaces, and modern materials. Its design marked a departure from utilitarian factory aesthetics, bringing decorative sophistication to a working building in Northbridge.
Cultural significance
The Michelides Tobacco Factory was significant as Perth’s only extant Art Deco–remodelled industrial building. It demonstrated how modernist design could enhance functional manufacturing spaces, reflecting broader cultural shifts toward celebrating modern aesthetics in everyday commercial architecture during the interwar period.
Key facts
- Country: Australia
- City: Perth, Western Australia
- Coordinates: −31.948°, 115.856°
- Construction: Early 1920s–mid-1930s (staged)
Practical information & getting there
The building is no longer standing. For more on Perth’s architectural heritage, consult local heritage listings and archives.
Sources & resources
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