West Perth Council approved a conservation plan for the restoration and preservation of the front façade of The Hicks House.
The historic building, which was given historic designation in the late 80's, has housed many different businesses over the years, including the old Hicks House Bar. Chief Building Official Bob McLean said at that time, the building was fixed up, but now needs more work done, including the front windows that the owner wants replaced.
"So he had to have a specialist prepare a report on the state of the windows, and exactly what he was proposing was replacing the windows. These aren't original windows," McLean explained. "With the report from the consultant, council, through their Heritage Advisory Committee, made the recommendation to allow the owner to proceed with the new windows."
McLean said WestHall Heritage Research and Consulting did the report. The Hicks House, when given historic designation in the late 80's, had some work done on it then, like brickwork and painting, as well as new windows then, but the time had come for new windows again, which won't be ready until mid-spring likely.
The entire cost is being covered by the owner, as the municipality simply needed to approve the work due to the building being a historic town site. The Hicks House, which famously was home to the Hocks House Cafe, was erected in the spring of 1873 by a contractor from Seaforth named James Walsh.
