By the mid to late 1930s Krantz’s output began expanding. Individual designs were being taken up and his cost-effective approach gaining attention. His future partner, Robert Schläfrig arrived from a Europe on the brink of war where Jewish persecution was escalating. On his arrival in Perth in 1939 Schläfrig, a qualified architect, gained work with Krantz and decided to make Western Australia his home. Seven years later, in 1946 when he became eligible for registration with the Architects Board of Western Australia, Schläfrig changed his name to Sheldon and went into partnership with Krantz. The pair had a congenial and harmonious working relationship. Between them they provided employment for many other European migrants and this fed into a distinctive style of architecture, the expression of new modern standards for Perth.
“Krantz & Sheldon built on both foreshores between the Causeway and the Narrows. At one point Krantz apartments and flats were dominant on both sides of the river, many still exist on the northern side - and Krantz still shapes the southern skyline.”
Project participant Ariel Lam
Kodak Headquarters, Hampden Road, Hollywood
The first tender requested in October 1946 by the newly formed Krantz and Sheldon Company was for a lavatory block for the Maylands Hotel. From this inauspicious beginning the work moved into designing not only flats and individual residences, including war service homes but also factory units for some of the prominent businesses in Perth. This included renovations for the Turvey Brothers, who became one of their regular furniture suppliers. During the 1950s the type of work being sought changed to include rural bank branch and hotel renovations, theatres, offices, churches and schools. In addition, with commercial decentralisation away from the Perth CBD, suburban shopping centres, warehouses, showrooms and car parks were required.
The company’s most prolific output dates to the 1960s. Harold’s son David joined the practice as a partner in 1960, as did Robin Arndt and Lourens West. Harold took a step back from design when David joined and focused his efforts on the syndicate and business side of the company. George Sheldon, son of Robert, became a partner in 1965, just three years before his father died. The company operated as Krantz and Sheldon until Harold’s retirement in 1972. At this time John Silbert joined and the company went on to become Krantz & Sheldon, Arndt, Silbert & West in 1980.
