The Esplanade Kiosk, Heritage kiosk building in Perth CBD, Australia
The Esplanade Kiosk is a 1928 building designed by Louis Bowser Cumpston in Federation Arts and Crafts style, with interlocking octagonal forms and elliptical arched windows. It was deconstructed in 2012 and rebuilt on an islet at Elizabeth Quay, where it now houses The Island hospitality complex, including a microbrewery, restaurant, pizzeria and playground.
The building was built in 1928 as a tearoom and changing facility for nearby sports activities. In 2016, it was relocated to its current spot on an island within the Elizabeth Quay development, bringing its history forward to the modern era.
The kiosk's changing names trace Perth's leisure habits: Esplanade Tearooms through most of the 1940s and 1950s, the Silver Dragon Restaurant and Steak House in the late 1960s, Annabella's Nightclub from 1977 to 1980, and the Salvation Army youth drop-in centre The Converted Duke from 1982 to 1985. It was renamed after councillor Florence Hummerston in 1985, when it became a day care centre.
The building sits on an island within the Elizabeth Quay area, which is easy to reach on foot from the city center. The location has open access and can be explored from multiple sides of the plaza.
The kiosk was deconstructed in 2012 and placed in storage before being rebuilt on its own island at Elizabeth Quay. The relocation cost A$16 million, including a A$7 million compensation payout to the operator of the Grand Palace Chinese restaurant, who held a 44-year lease.
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