[3] The building at 143 Barrack Street was purpose-built in 1894 for Phineas Seeligson, a pawnbroker and prominent member of the local Jewish community.

[4] The building was designed by architect Henry Stirling Trigg,[3] and opened as a second branch of Seeligson's pawnbroking business,[4] under the name "The City Loan Office".

[4] A clause in the will stipulated that his trustees were not to sell the property for 30 years, as Seeligson was convinced it would increase in value and be of greater benefit to his specified charitable causes.

[4] Over the following 30 years, various businesses were located in the building's shop, initially the Chinese restaurant Cafe Nanking – one of the first on Perth[3] – which opened on 22 November 1930.

[4] The seven-year restoration project included completing a detailed conservation plan, repairing the upper level's Romanesque facade, and finding new tenants.