Alternative NamePeregian Road HousePeregian Beach MotelDescription
The Peregian Roadhouse was commissioned by property developer, TM Burke Pty Ltd, and opened on June 2, 1962 on the north-eastern corner of the intersection between David Low Way and Heron Street, Peregian Beach. Its original intended use was as an amenity for local residents and travellers, combining a restaurant with an estate agency.
The building was designed by Czech-born architect, Alex Jelinek, and was the first modernist building in the Noosa region. It was also the first commercial building in Peregian Beach, and with its steel and poured concrete construction, was notably different to the scattered fibro and timber dwellings of the surrounds.
It was the second, and the last stand-alone building designed by Jelinek. His first building, 'The Benjamin House' in Deakin, Canberra, had won Architecture and Arts magazine's 'Australian House of the Year'(1958).
The building was constructed by Harry Davis of Tewantin. Situated 45 degrees to the intersection, the building was designed to be most impressive when viewed by travellers heading north on the TM Burke-funded, and newly built, coastal highway.
The Roadhouse comprised of five wedged-shaped rooms in a radial design, coming from a central hub, and with an innovative incorporation of three concrete water tanks on the building's facade.
By December 1962, the first motel units had been constructed adjacent to the Roadhouse with a second set of units constructed by 1964. The Roadhouse became the reception for the Peregian Beach Motel, and the popular restaurant continued to operate, serving locals as well as travellers.
Operating as a motel into the 1990s, the owners sought to have the land rezoned to accommodate a 41 room, three-storey motel and restaurant on the site. Interest in the architectural value of the building by Nancy Weir of the Sunshine Coast branch of the National Trust, triggered research on the building. This resulted in a heritage assessment of the Roadhouse and its inclusion in a heritage report commissioned by Noosa Shire Council as part of its Noosa Plan: Choosing Futures (2002) strategic town planning project.
In spite of the National Trust's lobbying for Noosa Shire Council to work with the owners to create an incentive for the building's retention, it was ultimately demolished in 2003.
The architectural and cultural heritage significance of the Peregian Roadhouse was highlighted with its inclusion in an exhibition titled 'Greetings from Peregian Beach Roadhouse' held at Caloundra Regional Gallery on the 21 April -23 May 2010, and the Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre from 9 July-28 August 2010. The exhibition was curated by Shaun Walsh and supported by Cultural Heritage and Collections Manager, John Waldron (Sunshine Coast Regional Council). The exhibition's accompanying publication is titled 'Greetings from Peregian Beach Roadhouse: Early 20th Century Stories of the Sunshine Coast Built Environment.'
References:
Benjamin, R. (2012) Prague on the Sunshine Coast: the Peregian Roadhouse by Alex Jelinek, Vol 21(2),p.60-81
Benjamin, R. (2020) A Studio for Lina Bryans: Alex Jelinek at Erin Street Richmond, Vol 10(1), RMIT Design Archives Journal, p.51-61.https://issuu.com/rmitculture/docs/rda_journal_22_10.1_issuu_1_
Greetings from Peregian Beach Roadhouse: Early 20th Century Stories of the Sunshine Coast Built Environment (2010). Caloundra Regional Art Gallery, Caloundra.
National Trust lobbies to save Peregian heritage building. (2003, January 23), Noosa Journal, p. 64.
