BA2493/2879: Captain Stirling Hotel, Nedlands

Summary

Marshall Clifton designed this in the Spanish Mission/Mediterranean Style. The Spanish Mission theme came from America and one example is the St Columba Church in South Perth which has a replica in North Hollywood LA. The hotel has stuccoed arches and a terra cotta tiled roof which gives it a strong Mediterranean character, and Clifton designed flats and houses (including his own) in this manner. This was a definite break with English tradition and much more suited to our lifestyle and was a romantic style which evoked the glamour of the movies which were a major influence at the time. He followed the view that “In Western Australia it is possible to live much of our lives outdoors and it is desirable to bring out-of-doors into the house. There must be adequate protection from the sun, but we should invite sunshine into our homes wherever possible”. Monsignor Cyril Hawes also used Spanish Mission design for his churches and school buildings at Geraldton and Mullewa.