Michelides Tobacco Factory, Art Deco tobacco factory in Northbridge, Western Australia.
The Michelides Tobacco Factory was a two-story building in Northbridge with geometric patterns and vertical lines typical of industrial Art Deco architecture. Its facade displayed the clean forms and functional design elements that defined manufacturing buildings of that period.
The factory opened in 1923 following the inauguration by Premier Sir James Mitchell, marking Perth's industrial expansion into organized manufacturing. Production halted in 1959 when tobacco manufacturing ceased in the region.
The building sits in a neighborhood that developed around manufacturing and trade, reflecting Perth's industrial past through its presence among other commercial structures. This location shows how factories once anchored local commerce and employment for surrounding streets.
The building could only be viewed from the exterior once tobacco operations ended, as it transitioned to retail and commercial uses afterward. Visitors should know the structure was demolished in 2014, leaving only historical records and photographs for reference.
After its tobacco operations, the building found new life housing Peters Ice Cream and later Tony Barlow Menswear, demonstrating how industrial structures were repurposed for different commercial ventures. These adaptations show the flexibility of solid Art Deco construction to serve changing community needs over decades.
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